While students are excited about the changing of seasons, the PEERs are preparing for their largest community service project of the year.
Winterization is a time for the student body and faculty to come together on a Saturday morning to serve the elderly in the community. Students are assigned to groups and within those groups is a list of houses they are tasked with for the morning. The project serves approximately 50 houses per year, and without the project, the homeowners would not be able to maintain their houses. It is a great opportunity for students to earn service hours with free breakfast and lunch provided by local restaurants and other volunteers.
“Winterization started with the former PEER teacher and about six students with an idea. They wrote a grant from the Department of Education to gain supplies to make it happen. Fortunately it was approved, and the project began in 1992,” Mrs. Laura Stadtfeld, PEER teacher, said.
The PEER students are split up into five different groups in order to get all parts of the project finished in time. The groups include home assessment, celebration, project management, recruitment, and t-shirts.
“My group is home assessment, and we assess the houses and figure out what they need and what they want done. We go out to each house and assess how long the work will take. We have to talk to each homeowner and schedule a time to assess their house before the actual date of Winterization,” sophomore Genevieve Schroeder said.
Not all of the groups work directly with the homeowners or with the winterizing part of the project.
“In celebration, we help feed the volunteers breakfast and lunch. We reach out to the restaurants and businesses to see if they are willing to donate, and we put them on the back of the Winterization gear to help promote them in thanks to providing food for us,” senior Addy Gilly said.
Winterization planning can be a stressful time of year for the PEER class because not only are they planning the project, but they are still training and planning for their PEER buddies.
“I think it has been kind of rough just because of the split between first and second years, but I think we are starting to mend together. It has been hard to be a second-year because we never had that guidance last year, but we are all in this together and I know it will get easier as time goes on,” senior Ameera Hooks said.
Although it gets frustrating, people find reasons why they should not give up.
“I like helping the people. They are always so appreciative, and it makes me feel good about the work I have done. It also helps us bond as a class, and I have made good friends through the process,” junior Ajay Weathers said.
Lots of people have never participated in Winterization before, even some of the PEERs, but this year they are encouraging more students to join.
“I have never participated, but I am looking forward to more people helping out especially since the band has a competition that day so I am hoping more people will come out who have never helped before. I think it is a great time for our school to come together, so I hope more people consider joining,” senior Audryanna Cox said.
Each year it is difficult for Mrs. Stadtfeld to keep this project going, but she does not plan on giving up any time soon.
“The conversations I have with the senior citizens motivate me to put it on each year. A lot of them say that they would not be able to keep their houses without the help. They love talking to the kids every year because it is about socialization for them, too. We remind them that they are loved and seen within the community,” Mrs. Stadtfeld said.
Winterization will be Nov. 15 from 8 a.m- Noon. Come out, gain service hours, enjoy free food, and hang out with friends while serving the elderly within the community.
