If you drove around Kirkland, Wash., on a sunny day in mid-October, you likely would have seen nearly 400 teenagers in green t-shirts participating in acts of service in the community.
Representing western Washington's junior and senior academies, these seventh- to 12th-grade volunteers were part of the second-annual School Community Impact Service Event.
"Our purpose was to create a greater impact in the Seattle [Wash.] eastside communities," says Byron Dulan, Washington Conference outreach ministries director and event coordinator. "We also wanted to foster greater productive fellowship and unity among all academy students."
Student volunteers and chaperones arrived at Puget Sound Adventist Academy (PSAA), the host site, for a devotional and an orientation before departing to service sites.
Students chose from a variety of service opportunities, including replanting native plants, spreading cedar chips for a new dog park, cleaning offices, sorting library books, removing invasive weeds, helping with non-profit special events, painting a gymnasium, feeding the homeless, maintaining trails and parks, and packaging food donations.
"A few groups finished early," says Linda Taber, PSAA principal, "so they came back and helped with some projects on campus."
An afternoon rally gave teens an opportunity to report on their activities and watch a slideshow of the day.
John Freedman, Washington Conference president, thanked students for their day of service. "Every seed of kindness sown is a seed planted for Jesus," he says.
A photo gallery archive is available at facebook.com/washingtonconference.
Middle and high school students give a day of service to the Kirkland, Wash., community. (Heidi Martella)
