Service is more than just work. Service is making a connection, building relationships, and giving back to those in need.
Winterization is a volunteer opportunity for GHS students and staff to give back to the community by helping senior citizens winterize their homes. Winterization will take place on Nov. 16.
“We go out, and we rake leaves, clean gutters, trim bushes, and do whatever the senior citizens need to help prepare their home for the winter. It is a volunteer opportunity where anybody can come that is a Greenwood student at the high school or staff or teacher, and we will provide free breakfast and free lunch for them,” Mrs. Laura Stadtfeld, coordinator, said.
The PEER class is in charge of planning Winterization, and they have been working to ensure GHS is able to provide services to those in need.
“Our PEER class is the one that organizes this. They split into six groups that actually organize the day. They have already been out talking to homeowners and assessing homes. We have been calling restaurants to try to get food for our breakfast and lunches, and we have designed the t-shirts already. There is a lot of stuff in process now,” Mrs. Stadtfeld said.
Their dedication will pay off.
“We have been preparing around the clock to make sure we are giving back to the community. We have a group in charge of helping getting donations and supplies, one in charge of t-shirt design, one in charge of publicity, one for assessing homes, and another to help get donations for food so before and after working hard we have delicious food to eat,” junior Ameera Hooks, PEER member, said.
Students and staff who volunteer will be sorted into groups to go out to various homes in the community for two hours working. Students always enjoy this opportunity to give back.
“The best part about Winterization is serving the community with my friends. It is just a fun experience because we all get to hang out and help out together and help all these senior citizens to clear their yards when they physically cannot themselves,” senior Joelle Young said.
Most volunteers do not mind the work and are grateful to help senior citizens while creating relationships and good memories with their groups.
“What I like about Winterization is how you team up students with staff or adult leaders because I think you really get to know the student out of the classroom better than in the classroom. You have two hours of nothing but work, and you just build a relationship. A lot of students I have in class do not do Winterization, so I meet students in maybe physics or chemistry so I get to build a new relationship with them,” Mr. Allan Figy, industrial technology teacher, said.
The senior citizens also enjoy getting a chance to meet and talk to those who are helping them.
“Not only are you having a fun time with your friends, but you can also make a connection with who you are assisting. Honestly, sometimes people just need someone to talk to, and that alone can make their day so much better,” junior Moriah Ellington said.
For the senior citizens, that connection is so important and greatly valued.
“A lot of our senior citizens that we work with just want to talk to people. A lot of times they stay in their homes, and they do not get to get out and see people much so this is an opportunity for them to connect with somebody in the community, especially the younger generation that maybe they do not get a chance to be around often. That is kind of the neatest part of Winterization is talking to the homeowners,” Mrs. Stadtfeld said.
The senior citizens are grateful for the help that is provided to them, even in tough weather conditions.
“I think the fact that even on the worst days, like if it is snowing or if it is sleeting, the kids will still show up to help people and those senior citizens give us endless phone calls thanking us. Some even say they would not even be able to keep their homes if it was not for our program,” Mrs. Stadtfeld said.
Sometimes, those tough weather conditions are what create the best memories.
“My freshman year was the year I did Winterization when it was snowing a lot. That year we got to shovel the snow and rake up some really soggy leaves. I was just having fun being with my friends while helping someone in need and going to get hot chocolate afterwards,” Ellington said.
Even without hot chocolate, students still were able to make good memories and get the most out of volunteering.
“I remember my sophomore year Winterization. It was freezing, and we were all so cold. Everyone else was talking about how they had hot chocolate and cookies from their winterization houses, but nobody gave us anything. Then Mrs. Smithy let us bundle up and get warm in her car, and it was a core memory. It was really nice,” Young said.
Winterization with friends is fun, but some also realize the importance of it and how big of a need there is for Winterization.
“There is such a need to do Winterization because there are so many people who are unable to do the tasks we see as simple, such as raking leaves,” Hooks said.
GHS students and staff are encouraged to volunteer to help their community.
“I 100 percent encourage students to help. It is just a great fun way to serve the community, and you also get free food in the morning and after so that is always a plus. It is just a great way to get involved, so I would definitely encourage students to do it,” Young said.
Sign-ups and permission slips for Winterization are available in English classrooms, around the school and at lunch for students to take. Some might be surprised at how much of an impact their help can make, even if it only impacts them individually.
“You are always going to find people that have less than you, and you cannot outgive. Whenever you give, you will always get more back then what you actually gave,” Mr. Figy said.
