Senior Class Gives Back

What do you do when you find yourself with extra playground equipment? Recently, Heritage Academy in Columbus, MS found themselves facing this dilemma after they converted an elementary playground into a picnic table area for their sixth grade students. After the renovations, the school no longer needed the playground equipment.

Earlier in the year, their Senior Class participated in a leadership retreat. At the retreat, the seniors discussed various service projects their class could coordinate. They wanted to select a project that would be meaningful to them. Having grown up in Columbus, many were familiar with Palmer Home, and several even have friends that currently live on our campus.

“We knew that Palmer Home needed additional playground equipment through our talks with them. Since the elementary school no longer needed the equipment, the seniors provided the necessary manpower to clean it up and transport it to the Palmer Home Campus,” said Amanda Shelton, a guidance counselor for Heritage Academy.

Heritage Academy’s Senior Class also helped decorate Palmer Home’s Lindamood building for the last annual Christmas Open House—and some even helped serve at the event. Additionally, the class raised over $1,000 through a fundraiser with Lost Pizza Company to buy new swing sets for both Palmer Home campuses. These young men and women are setting a strong example of service and leadership for others.

“Palmer Home is such a great organization to help because there are so many ways to help!  The staff and children at Palmer Home are always so appreciative of anything we do, whether it is a donation of time, money and/or resources. This is a home that has needs like many other families – but the needs are just bigger since they have so many children. The children there are precious, and when you interact with them, it just makes you wish you could do more,” added Shelton.

If you are interested in serving with Palmer Home, check out the Volunteer page on our website for some great ideas for how to put your skills to use giving back!