This past week, all students at UMEI Christian High School spent the day giving back to the community on their fall Service Project Day.
“This day is built into the school year as part of our educational model,” explained Principal Darcy Bults. “Students don’t receive volunteer hours for this time – it is part of a UMEI education to serve others.”
“Service project day is an important part of UMEI because we as a school give back to the community and it can teach us what its like volunteering,” said Grade 10 student Michael Gerenda. “I liked how fun it was working with friends and getting togive back to the community.”
For Grade 10 student Allison Wiens, it’s an important expression of her faith. “Service Project Day is important because it shows that UMEI students are willing to help the community. We do service project day to show that we are doers of the word and not just readers of the word.”
For Grade 9 student Trystan Bartel it is a good way to show the community what is means to be a Christian school. “Being a doer of the Word means to actually act on what Jesus taught us and help out; not just talk about doing good things, but actually doing them.”
UMEI students went to nine local organizations – Hospice, Thrift on Mill, Gleaners, Leamington Food Hub, South Shore Christian School, The Bridge Youth Resource Centre, Miyawaki Forest, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, and South Essex Community Council. They did everything from stocking shelves to gardening to washing windows to reading to young children.
“It felt really good knowing that we were helping people while actually have fun doing it,” said Grade 10 Carter Neufeld.
Grade 10 student Hunter Cornies went to the Food Hub and Miyawaki Forest. “I thought the day was awesome! At the Food Hub, we packed bags full of foods for food banks, which was actually kind of fun. At the forest we dug up weeds, which was a little less fun but I felt useful!”
“It is really special that many of these five organizations are led by, or have key leadership from, UMEI graduates,” said Chani Wiens, Director of Enrollment & Community Engagement. “These are alumni that would have taken part of service project days while they were students, and went on to make service their life’s work. It’s really impactful for current students to see that.”
If you have an organization that would benefit from UMEI volunteers this spring, email Kim in the main office at office@umei.ca.