Community members and non-profit organizations in Bethel Township and the surrounding area now have a resource to call upon when an extra pair of hands is needed to help with odd jobs.
On March 18, Bethel High School (BHS) students kicked off their new “Helping Hands” program with the first-ever “Bethel Service Day” event. According to BHS Principal, Craig Vasil, approximately 300 BHS students pitched in to help at 20 sites located in the Dayton, Troy, Tipp City, New Carlisle, and Bethel Township areas. Sites included private homes, animal shelters, food pantries, Miami County parks, and a senior care center, just to name a few.
The Bethel Service Day and Helping Hands program was planned and put into action by BHS National Honor Society students. Vasil says the event was inspired by the annual Anthony Munoz Leadership Seminar student leaders attended last fall. There, students were challenged to find a way to help the communities they lived in. The BHS students put their heads together and decided to plan a service week culminating in a final event where all BHS students would get the opportunity to serve in local communities. The theme for the week was, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
The Dayview Care Center in New Carlisle was one site that benefitted from the Bethel Service Day. Eleven students spent the day at the senior care center cleaning under dining room tables, washing walls and handrails, taking down shutters, doing yardwork, and interacting with residents. The students say the experience opened their eyes to the impact volunteer service has on a community and in oneself.
“Helping at the nursing home today showed us how much work goes into helping a place run right,” agreed several students who helped with the outdoor work. A student who spent time indoors cleaning and interacting with Dayview residents commented, “Some of the (senior citizens) living here just need someone to come in to spend time with them and make them laugh. It can be kind of scary being around people so much older than you, but soon you start to realize they like to have fun, just like everybody else.” One student plans to return soon to help again, a development heartily supported by Vasil.
“I personally believe there are a lot of needs in our community, both local and global. Students need to understand this need and experience for themselves there are people out there who are actively willing to help out. Many people working in non-profits do not get the credit they deserve...I (also) hope students begin to understand how putting labels on people does not benefit the community they live in...I also hope there will be some students who decide to become more involved in non-profit organizations and the spirit of serving,” says Vasil.
The BHS students responsible for planning the Bethel Service Day and the Helping Hands program are: Morgan Jergens (11), Brad McCarroll (12), Chase Heck (12), Regan Bowman (12), Zach Moore (12), Eili Wright (10), Alaina Hawthorn (10), Caleb South (10), Hunter Shelley (10), Jacob Evans (10), Ben Lawson (10), Korry Hamlin (10), Olivia Rust (10), Tyler Brueckman (10), Tyler Shoopman (10), Emily Ray (9), Grace Anthony (9), John Butler (9), Sophia Yarwick(9), and Te Elliott(9).
Vasil says there are plans to make the Bethel Service Day an annual event, especially in light of the amount of interest shown by a large variety of non-profit agencies across the area.
To learn more about the Bethel Service Day, click on the “Principal’s Update” under the “High School” tab on the school district’s website, http://www.bethel.k12.oh.us/; or by looking up #bethelbeethechange on Twitter.
