LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --Â A group of Louisville middle schoolers spent more than 2,000 hours volunteering this summer.
While some helped at cemeteries and animal shelters, most helped local homeless people.
"Imagine they're you," eight grader Vera Naidu said.
While most kids were at the pool or playing video games this summer, Naidu spent nearly 250 hours volunteering around the community. That's more than 10 full days.
"It just makes me feel great knowing I'm making a great impact on this person's day," Naidu said.
Each year, St. Francis of Assisi challenges its rising eight graders to complete so many service hours that it adds up to their graduation year. Naidu and her classmates' goal was 2,025 hours.
"It's not a one-off deal," Fred Whittaker, a teacher, said. "Our students are asked to do lots of service to the point where they create relationships and friendships."
These students went above and beyond. In total, the classmates spent 2,155 hours cleaning up cemeteries, helping at summer camps, and painting house walls.
Students at St. Francis of Assisi spent 2,155 hours volunteering during their summer break.
"Which, for many of them, was almost working a full-time job,"Â Whittaker said.
Most of their work helped Hip Hop Cares. Every Sunday, the organization passes out food and supplies to homeless people in downtown Louisville.
"It was kind of surreal at first," Harper Joaquin said. "Now, I'm friends with a lot of the people down there, and it's a cool relationship I never would have had."
This proved to be a fun summer challenge and an eye-opening experience for many of these middle schoolers.
"That's the magic of stepping into the lives of other people," Whittaker said.
The students will continue to help Hip Hop Cares through April 2025.
Related Stories:
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
