According to the online news source Mental Floss, teenagers who volunteer have better grades and a higher self-image. An altruistic lifestyle benefits the giver in other ways, too. Volunteers are believed to live longer, manage stress better, experience less depression, and have greater life satisfaction, the site notes. Beyond experiencing individual benefits, volunteers are influential. When one person chooses to help another, that action has a ripple effect, causing others to get involved. A giving lifestyle provides a sense of purpose, which ties in beautifully with Jackson Academy’s mission statement.
Today, JA introduced many service opportunities to Upper School students through a Community Service Fair from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center lobby. Mustard Seed, Mississippi Children’s Museum, Good Samaritan Center, Mississippi Food Network, Mission First, Hope House Ministries, Joni & Friends, Canopy Children’s Solutions, and the Diabetes Foundation set up booths to present partnership opportunities. The Community Service Fair helps students see how they can get involved. JA does not require but instead encourages student participation in community service. The school wants the service to come from the heart — not be mandated.
“We try to encourage students to think about things that are important to them and then find a place to get involved,” said Community Service Coordinator Audrey Wilkirson. “I tell them to volunteer for something easy like serving a meal and then notice other needs at that organization, step up, and build their story. We find that those who “build a story” continue that type of service after high school and into adulthood. We have partnered with some wonderful organizations that offer our students credible service that teaches them how to be servants.”
Mississippi Food Network staff member Crystal Pham talked with students about how they could pack Backpack Meal Kits for children and boxes for senior citizens at risk for hunger. She provided a Hunger Action Calendar that gave students 30 easy ways to make a difference in 30 days, such as collecting change, liking MFN on social media, or packing a lunch, and then donating what they saved on food to MFN.
At the Good Samaritan Center, students participated in a hands-on activity. They packaged Men’s and Women’s Smile Kits by placing toiletries provided by the center’s staff into sealable gallon plastic bags.
Students readily took to preparing smile kits and signing up to volunteer at the organizations represented. Ninth grader Emmely Johnson said she signed up to volunteer at the American Heart Association and the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Senior Wilson Eatherly had signed up previously for the Ambassador program at Canopy Children’s Solutions, which provides behavioral health, education, and social services. Wilson said he thinks what Canopy does for children ages 6 to 17 is “cool.” As an ambassador, he has the opportunity to help with the set-up of the Butterfly Ball on October 9 and the Canopy Golf Classic on November 5 through 15. Students can also volunteer virtually, said Canopy Volunteer Coordinator Kea Hart. Virtual volunteering allows students to distribute hope, kindness, and resilience messages to friends and family through their personal social media channels.
