Standing tall in the hallway of Fleetwood Area Middle School are two minions constructed out of 2,300 cans of food, which will be donated to the Greater Berks Food Bank as part of the school’s Day of Caring on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 16.
“When it’s finished, everyone really likes looking at it,” said eighth grader Emma Bigg, 14. “I want to (see) everyone volunteer because it’s a nice thing to do for your community and for Martin Luther King, it’s good to volunteer in his memory.”
Sitting next to Bigg wrapping cans in colored construction paper, seventh grader Nick Hill, 12, said he finds constructing things fun.
“I like helping people. I want to make a good impact on the community,” said Hill. “Just by helping out people whenever you really can.”
Fleetwood 8th grade science teacher Kyle Bollendorf attached the eyes to the Kevin minion can sculpture.
“I like how all the kids are cooperating and they’re really focused on their task,” said Bollendorf. “Everybody’s pitching in. It’s good teamwork.”
About 145 students volunteered for various service projects on their day off from school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Fleetwood Middle School’s Day of Caring.
“Today is a day of service to the Fleetwood community and Berks County community as a whole,” said Fleetwood Area Middle School Principal Gangi E. Cucciuffo. “(I hope students learn) that there’s something greater than them and that the most important thing is to give back to the community.”
There is a significance of holding the Day of Caring on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Martin Luther King Jr.’s whole mantra was service to people and making sure people know that they are cared for,” Cucciuffo said. “Everybody deserves to be treated equally but we always have to remember that there’s something more than ourselves.”
This is Fleetwood Middle School’s fifth year holding the Day of Caring.
“The one benefit that I see, besides helping our community out, is our teachers get to see kids in a whole different light. It’s building that relationship with kids but it’s also doing something great for our community as well,” said Cucciuffo, noting that five years ago administration and guidance saw the in-service day as a great way to focus on building a connection with the community and with the students.
Cucciuffo credited Fleetwood Middle School Assistant Principal Dr. Natalie E.L. Trace and the event committee for being instrumental in making the day’s service projects happen. Teachers worked with the 145 students in 5th through 8th grade who volunteered to participate in service projects on their day off from school. The youth ages 10 to 13 volunteered at either a morning or afternoon session, choosing one of seven service projects.
“They get to do some neat things that not every kid gets to do during the school day,” said Cucciuffo. “Such as baking baked goods for people in our community. It’s broadening their horizons.”
Some students volunteered at Keystone Villa of Fleetwood making blankets with senior citizens to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House or assisted at the Hope Rescue Mission in Reading.
At the middle school, one group stuffed Valentine care packages to send to deployed military troops. Others created holiday ornaments to decorate Fleetwood Bank next Christmas. Another group made cat and dog toys for Presents for Paws, which will be donated to the Animal Rescue League of Berks County and the Humane Society of Berks County.
Fifth grader Hailey Dietrich, 11, made cloth dog chew toys.
“I like that I get to help animals and they can have toys to play with,” said Dietrich. “I feel like this is a day when you should help out people and animals. Animals are important to the world and we should care about them.”
Another group baked pizzelle, snickerdoodle and chocolate chip cookies for residents at Keystone Villa of Fleetwood.
Seventh grader Emily Melcher, 12, has been participating in the Day of Caring for the past three years.
“I like that we get to volunteer and that it helps others. It makes me feel good inside,” said Melcher. “I’ve learned that it’s better to help others than to be selfish. I hope it inspires other people to help others.”
Sixth grader Ian Miller, 11, who likes baking and history, said Martin Luther King made a big difference in the United States; Miller wanted to do something in return for King’s contributions toward making America great.
“Doing stuff for a cause that makes you feel great, makes you feel super good inside. Making other people happy has a great feeling inside,” said Miller.
While baking pizzelle cookies, sixth grader Taylor Clark, 12, said, “I like helping people and I like making stuff for people and making people happy. I really like volunteering. I like spending my time doing stuff for people.”
Fifth grade science and social studies teacher Alyssa Carl baked right along side students.
“It definitely shows them how helpful and meaningful it is to give back to the community because they are giving to people in need but they are also giving up their time off from school,” said Carl. “It’s definitely a meaningful but fun experience.”
Referring to the various services projects conducted that day, Carl said, “There’s so many things that we do to give back to so many people in Berks County. A very meaningful and helpful day. Fun day, too. Feels good to give back, for the students and the teachers.”