Pekin holds Day of Service

Over 150 Pekin students, grades 9—12, stepped up to serve their communities on Wednesday, Oct. 1 on their Day of Service.

Some of the places they helped at were the Food Bank of Iowa, SEIDA in Ottumwa, The Well in Fairfield, Brooks Cemetery, Friends Cemetery, Rock Creek Cemetery, Hedrick Civic Center, Hedrick City Park, the Richland Fire Department, The Oak’s Assisted Living in Fairfield, Parkview Care Center in Fairfield, and they did roadside cleanup.

Pekin started holding their Day of Service last fall, and held a second one last spring. The decision to dedicate half a day of school to community service stemmed from a new requirement that all Pekin students perform at least 20 hours of community service to graduate. Pekin High School secretary Christy Gambell organizes the event.

A huge thank you to these organizations and groups for welcoming Pekin and allowing the students the opportunity to lend a hand. And a thank you to the amazing students who gave their time and energy to make a difference.

Days like this are a reminder of how important it is to encourage and nurture the spirit of community service in our youth. By giving back, they not only strengthen our communities but also build values of compassion, responsibility, and leadership that will carry forward into the future.

Pekin’s spring Day of Service will be in early April. Those with community service ideas can email Gambell at christy.gambell@pekincsd.org or call her at the high school at 319-695-3705.