Never Too Young: CEC Youth Are Involved in Service Activities

“We read a lot,” says mentoring facilitator Jackie B, “about kids who aren’t doing the right thing, but I’m seeing something wonderful in these young people in the mentoring program.” And mentoring is just one of the service-minded projects our youth undertake. From youngsters in the Heartland program, to our high school youth and beyond, community service is a top priority.

Stephanie and Jennifer M, along with Matt R, are regulars in the program at Johnson School . “I see a lot of caring,” says Jackie. “For example, Matt, because of his work schedule, was not able to get to mentoring every week and he knew that the boys in the group really missed him when he wasn’t there. So Matt rearranged his hours at work.”

For others, scouting has literally been a part of growing up. The Cub Scout troop Jarrett S is involved in does two community service projects each year – Scouting for Food in October, and Keep America Beautiful to commemorate Earth Day. Older brother Justin, in Boy Scouts, “can’t always make the meetings,” explains their mother, Kitty. “But when it comes to community service, he always has a good attitude and joins right in. I think that if it weren’t for scouting, he might not have that attitude.”

Paul B, 16, has been involved in scouting since Cub Scouts in first grade. And for him, scouting means more than campouts and troop meetings. “We’ve planted trees by the entrance to the Izaak Walton League, and we put down bricks for sidewalks at Usher’s Ferry – in the hot sun. I’ve been doing community service work with scouting since at least sixth grade. And I hope I’m an example to the younger kids. I try to be.”

Dick R, Paul S and Justine L work with the YAC group, made up of high school-age youth and older. “We worked at the Alternative Gift Market again this year, and we raised seven or eight hundred dollars. This money went to buy bicycles for transportation needs in Africa , and toward sustainable agriculture in Balize on chocolate plantations,” says Dick. “We helped out with the Sunday School in presenting an Instructed Eucharist. That was fun. We might do some more things with the younger kids.

“From the perspective of seeing the kids mature over the years, it’s terribly gratifying,” Dick continues. “And from the perspective of ‘is what we’re doing helping to prepare younger people for life in the church,’ I would hope we’re setting a respectable example for how you can contribute.”   

The J2A group has been busy with fund-raising for their pilgrimage. But that hasn’t stopped them in their zeal for service projects. “They had a booth at the Alternative Gift Market,” says Ellen B. “They’re going to do a service project in conjunction with Confirmation preparation. They also helped with crafts at the Parents’ Night Out Pizza Party for Heartland, and they did an Adopt-A-Family project for Christmas.” Of course, the J2A young people host the annual Pancake Supper – a treat and all-you-can-eat which is always a hit.

Kitty S and Teresa B work with the Rite 13 group. Kitty explains, “We did an Alternative Gift Market booth last fall. It was an empowerment project for teachers in India . We also made Christmas cards for our shut-ins – from scratch! It was a fun, one-day project. All eight of our kids helped in Parents’ Night Out. They really enjoyed being able to work with the littler kids. They seem to be more involved when working with younger children. I think they like being leaders.”

The Fifth- and Sixth-Graders were part of the caroling team. They have also helped out at Johnson School , sorting clothes for a clothing drive. Lars L was active in these activities. “I had a really fun time doing the caroling. Von K was there and he played the guitar and we all had fun singing.”

Lars was also involved in the group’s booth at the Alternative Gift Market. “We raised money to buy 12 wheelchairs.” These $45 wheelchairs are targeted for disabled persons in the poverty-stricken Chinese city of Zhengzhou . “I sat there as people walked by,” says Lars, “and explained how people needed this help. I felt really good because I knew that it was going to a cause that needed to be dealt with. By the sound of it,” Lars adds, “we’re trying to get some community services going. This is our first year, and we’re just starting to get everything figured out.”

The Heartland group, preschool through fourth grade, has a piggy to collect offerings each week from children. “Last year,” says Nancy H, Heartland coordinator, “they decided to give the money to an animal shelter and to the tropical rain forest. This year, their concern is for animals again. Matt H and I have noticed that at this age the kids seem more interested in animals than in people, which is good. Animals need help, too.” Other projects include collecting and sorting clothes for the monthly give-away at Taylor School , and cooking and serving a chili supper at the Catherine McCauley Center .

“The service projects have been a good undertaking for us,” says Nancy . “The kids are more aware. I hope, at least, that they’re thinking about others and how we all need to help each other.” Look for Heartland to be hosting and serving a fellowship coffee hour during February.

If you have a service project you think some of our young people can help with, contact their adult leaders. Keeping in mind age groups and the other activities that may be planned, you just might be able to provide new and exciting service experiences for these, our Never-Too-Young members.