Mark Twain Junior High School, Be the Change for Your Community collaborate on service projects

CENTER, Mo. — Be The Change For Your Community and Mark Twain Junior High School recently launched a holiday community service effort.

The eighth grade students helped with projects for the Ralls County Food Pantry, the New London NECAC, Luther Manor Nursing Home, Hannibal-LaGrange University and Birthday Blessings on Nov. 29. The sixth grade students completed numerous service projects on Dec. 2, and the seventh grade students completed projects on Dec. 9.

Jennifer Hays, middle school principal, and Amy Vaughn, founder of Be The Change For Your Community, have worked on this project for several months. Be The Change organized all of the service projects, and Hays organized the student participation and transportation efforts. Every student in the middle school is being given the opportunity to give back during the holidays.

In a press release, Vaughn said, “This was an incredible collaborative effort that we are thrilled to see come to fruition. The kids love what they are doing, and it’s such a blessing for the organizations that we have been able to help. This is what the holidays are all about.”

Hays added, “Our goal with these community service days is to hopefully plant a seed with our students in hopes that they will see firsthand the benefits of helping others and their community.”

Other upcoming events are helping with resident activities at Beth Haven Nursing Home, boxing and giving away food with Feed America, making candied popcorn treat bags for first responders, and making valentine cards and treat bags for kids in the foster care system.

Any youth group or school that wants to help organizing similar community service events can contact Vaughn at 573-231-1775.