'Service to Community' in Action

Part of the mission of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (HIES) is developing in students “a sense of service to the world community.” Upper-Schoolers and faculty exemplified that part of the mission on March 23 when they left their classrooms and went into Metro Atlanta communities Mar. 23 for the school’s spring Great Day of Service.

Students and faculty worked on a Habitat for Humanity house, prepared meals and washed vehicles at the Red Shield Shelter, shoveled mulch at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and helped plant vegetables at the Veterans Farmer’s Market.

The Golden Bears also cleaned classrooms at the Atlanta Children’s Shelter and took some time out for a bit of playtime with the kids. “I’d call the motto of the Great Day of Service ‘communities helping communities,’” said senior Kenny Buckner, who was a Shelter helper. “The fact that this day doesn’t count toward our student service hours proves that it’s genuinely about being selfless and lending a hand to others. And, hopefully, it makes as big of an impact on the lives of those helping as it does on the people they are helping.”

DeCarlos Wardlaw, Atlanta Children’s Shelter Development Director, praised HIES helpers’ work, saying,”We are forever grateful for Holy Innocents’ partnership!”

And Alice Jenkins, executive director of Clifton Sanctuary Ministries, noted that “these young adults roll up their sleeves, worked as a team and completed all the tasks that were given them.” Students and faculty organized a shed and basement, sorted clothing into bins, raked leaves, planted a garden, cleaned out clothes closet, sized shoes, and prepared the evening meal. Senior Khorkie Tyus worked at Clifton that day, worked at Clifton that day, helping to prepare a meal for 30 men. “It really made me appreciate the people who do this every day because just from one day of cooking I was exhausted,” she said. “Great Day of Service makes you appreciate everything people have to do and realize not everyone is as blessed as we are.”

Great Day of Service also included work at sites such as Furkids, Books for Africa, the Peachtree Corps, Southview Cemetery, and Chattahoochee Nature Center.

“It really means a lot to have them come out,” said Libby Lintel, volunteer coordinator for the Nature Center. “They helped so much on the trails. It makes a difference with how our grounds look, and our services.”

For more information about Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School near Sandy Springs, visit www.hies.org.