In November 2024, students from Amazing Grace Academy in Palmer, Alaska, participated in a school-wide community service project that involved collecting specific items to share with the community.
For the past two years, AGA students have undertaken service projects to support MyHouse, a local community organization that assists youth and young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Students assembled food packs to be given out to at-risk youth and young adults. The packs contained items in disposable containers that could be easily heated or cooked with just hot water. MyHouse often has clients in need of food assistance and these packets help them as they work on improving their immediate situation.
The November community service initiative focused on gathering new items, including lip balm, cozy blankets, travel mugs, hot drink packets, Christmas candy and socks. Students brought the purchased items to school for a week and the following week, the entire school came together in family groups to assemble and wrap the gift packages.
Seventh- and eighth-grade students then delivered 73 gift boxes to MyHouse, where they had the opportunity to tour the facility and learn more about how they can help. The experience led many students to be more thankful for the many things they have.
The service project with MyHouse was tied closely to the school’s monthly spiritual theme of "Gratitude and Praise," prompting students to reflect on their blessings. By seeing the needs and challenges of other young people in the community, the students were able to recognize and appreciate their own blessings more profoundly.
Students also had the opportunity to write their gratitude and praise on sticky notes affixed to a large praise wall in the main hallway of the school. Common themes included family, housing, clothing, education and church community.
Service projects that connect students with the needs of the community and raise awareness of how they can help are an integral part of the Christian principles being taught and encouraged at AGA.
Stacey Peterson, AGA teacher, helps students prepare boxes for delivery.
Doni Andregg, AGA teacher, helps a student wrap a MyHouse gift box.
A student brings in boxes for MyHouse customers.
AGA staff, parents and students deliver the gift boxes to MyHouse.
