Johnston Middle School Students Volunteer to Help the World

Each Tuesday and Thursday morning a group of Johnston teens sets out to help change the world through community service.

Whether it's taking out the trash at Summit Middle School, visiting local nursing homes or loading orders at the DMARC Food Pantry Warehouse, every little bit counts.

"It goes toward helping the world," said Jared Dannels, eighth-grade student. "One difference in one state can really make a difference all around."

Dannels and several other sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students are spending a portion of their summer attending the Teens in Action program through Johnston Community Education.

The program pairs the teens with service projects around the community each Tuesday and Thursday morning. In the afternoons, the students get to enjoy a variety of activities including mini-golf and swimming.

Tuesday the students were at the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry filling orders, loading trucks and completing a few side projects.

"Earlier, we formed an assembly line and passed the food down the line to load it," Lexie Tonnemacher, sixth-grader said. "I really liked that we're helping people."

It's hard work, but worth it.

"It's heavy lifting, I can barely feel my arms at the end," Jared said. "But it's good work for the less fortunate."

The students have spent mornings this summer playing with younger students, working with the YMCA daycamp and a number of other service projects.

"There's a lot of community to help out," Jared said. "This has been my favorite."

Lexie said she doesn't mind spending part of her summer volunteering.

"I love helping people, and I thought this would be a fun thing to do," she said.
Jared agreed.

"I wish we had another month to work with," he said.