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Page 10
Appalachian Outreach
Day of Service
Inspired by the Martin Luther King activities of service to others, the 5th grade students from Shelley King’s and Luke Benson’s classes have started a project of their own. There is such a need in our outlying areas for shelter, food, and clothing for the homeless and disadvantaged. Appalachian Outreach is an organization that reaches far more people than we realize. Volunteers are needed on a daily basis to sort clothing, food, and building supplies used to make simple repairs to those who are in need.
 | | 5th grader Michaela Evans hangs "Coats for the Cold" in Jefferson City. |
The 5th grade classes had their first experience of a “Day of Service” back in November. They were given a brief tour of the extensive operation site located in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The classes were put to work immediately! The girls sorted and hung up “Coats for the Cold” to be donated that afternoon. The students found out very quickly that work starts with a capital W. The boys did not have it easy either. They started by gathering extra clothing for the baler machine. This clothing was dropped from a laundry chute to the basement below. The students gathered the clothing and placed it in the large machine. One of the staff members then demonstrated how the clothing was crushed to create a bale. These bales are later shipped overseas to other countries and places in need.
 | | Peyton Daniels and Gregory Lane move wood to the woodpile. |
Next, it was outside to move a large woodpile and donated aluminum. Appalachian Outreach accepts donations of firewood for heating purposes. There was even a large container of coal that had to be moved. (There was lots of discussion about the coal and a great science lesson about energy resources!) The boys and Luke Benson got to work with gloves and muscle power to move all the wood against a fence. The girls, led by Shelley King and assistant Lisa Ristevdt, pitched right in and shoveled all the donated aluminum cans and old guttering into a large pickup truck. They worked for over an hour digging and lifting. It was quite a messy job. They were later told that this work saved AO four hours of work! The aluminum was loaded up to be taken to the recycling center for cash. The cash will be used to purchase tools and supplies for home repair.
Everyone was tired and hungry, but proud of his or her hard work. The gracious staff thanked the group and seemed quite impressed with their work ethic. The class said their good-byes and promised to return for another day of service.
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