As part of a time-honored tradition, students and their families across the Westfield Public Schools participated in a districtwide community service initiative during the week of March 18 to give back to those in need.
Whether a Community Service Day or Night, parent volunteers coordinated and organized the many activities at each of the schools. Each elementary school effort was well attended, with such charitable activities as collecting much needed baby items, decorating bookmarks to be donated along with gently used books, writing welcoming messages to go along with a package of supplies or groceries, and recording fun video greetings for healthcare center residents.
On March 22, the gymnasium at Wilson Elementary School was neatly arranged for the inaugural “Rise Against Hunger” event, meticulously organized by members of the PTO. The entire gym was laid out with stations for funneling, scaling, sealing, and packing, as students in each grade helped to prepare individual bagged meals of dried rice, soy, and vegetables to combat hunger around the world.
“We made 20,088 meals,” says Wilson parent and event organizer Pamela Bookbinder Clarke.
At Edison and Roosevelt Intermediate Schools, students used a portion of their lunch periods to write thank you cards to first responders, decorate votive candles for local senior residents, make sandwiches to be donated to St. Joseph Social Service Center, create toys for a rescue animal organization, and string colorful friendship bracelets for Imagine, a Center for Coping with Loss.
The Westfield High School Student Government Association (SGA) teamed up with the Community Service Club, organizing an activity period for all homerooms to package toiletry kits for St. Joseph Social Service Center which serves those experiencing homelessness and economic hardship. The students organized an “Amazon Wish List” for families to donate the items in advance.
“Community Service Week represents the heart and soul of our educational mission, embodying the spirit of empathy, teamwork, and civic responsibility,” says Superintendent Dr. Raymond González, in thanking all who organized and participated in the charitable initiative. “These experiences are fundamental in shaping well-rounded individuals who are not only prepared academically but are also compassionate contributors to our society. We are immensely proud of the difference our students make in our community, and we are grateful for the support of our parents, educators, and local organizations in making Community Service Week a resounding success."
