MERIDIAN, ID — In a powerful demonstration of community unity and youth leadership, more than 600 students dedicated two days to a major service project aimed at uplifting local organizations and residents.
Organized in partnership with the Rocky Mountain High School Seminary Youth Council and the school’s Just Serve Club, the event brought together students, faculty, and local leaders to prove that many people do light work.
Community efforts
The energy of the project extended beyond the high school campus. Advisors and students from Meridian Boys & Girls Club joined in the effort on Friday afternoon, February 27th. Meridian Mayor Robert Simison and high school administrators rolled up their sleeves and sat alongside students tying beaded bracelets.
“It was incredible to see high school students taking the time to do such philanthropic work,” said Parker Hicks, president of the seminary’s board of trustees. “The Seminary and Institute program refocused two days of class time on this project, which was great because it gave students time to look outside of themselves and directly help the community.”
“Plummeting” for a good cause
While the JustServe club coordinated projects at the school, Rocky Mountain Seminary students focused their energies on a massive T-shirt drive. Motivated by seminary principal Matthew Featherstone’s promise to jump into a cold pond for three minutes if they reached 500 shirts, the young people collected more than 600 shirts. These donations were cut up and repurposed into 238 woven dog chew toys for the local humane society, ensuring both a successful service project and a cold afternoon in Featherstone.
Impact by numbers
The vast amount of items produced during the two-day event will benefit various organizations in the Treasure Valley. The students’ work ranged from military veterans to four-legged friends.
238 dog chew toys for Humane Society 250 birthday cards for Veterans Affairs 180 teddy bears for Dolls for Hope 984 snack packs for West Ada School District 984 placemats for Meridian Senior Living Center 173 beaded bracelets for Faith of Hope 176 thousands of jewelry pieces placed on cards for Idaho Youth Ranch 38 beaded bracelets for Rocky Mountain High School Community
strength of unity
By leveraging the JustServe platform, the high school club was able to identify real needs within Meridian. But the true success of the event was measured by the spirit felt by attendees.
“One of the best things about this event was the sense of unity that my peers and I felt as we served together,” said Zachary Cooper, co-president of the Rocky Mountain High School Just Serve Club. “By allowing our students to choose how they want to serve, they were able to have fun and make a huge impact. We are extremely grateful and look forward to continuing to serve our community here in the Rockies.”
This two-day project ended with more than just a collection of toys and cards, it reinforced civic pride and reminded us that when rising generations look to others, the entire community stands with them.
— Jessica Whiting is a specialist with Meridian Communication Council JustServe.
