MVHS, LCHS Join Hands In Service Project

By ELISE DALLEY

The Progress

The Jobs for Nevada Graduates (J4NG) program at Moapa Valley High School held a rewarding and beneficial service project on Thursday, May 5. The event took place at Moapa Valley High School.

The local program hosted J4NG students from Lincoln County High School who had traveled down to participate in the service project as well. The project consisted of putting together baby supply kits for refugee families.

The day started off with a luncheon consisting of tacos, grilled by local J4NG teacher, Ryan Anderson. Students from both Lincoln County and Moapa Valley heartily loaded up their plates and enjoyed the meal.
“Since it’s Cinco de Mayo we decided to cook some tacos,” Anderson said. “The kids seem to really enjoy that. But the main purpose of this event is about putting the kits together.”

After the meal, J4NG students headed back to the classroom, eager to get to work. They had spent time beforehand in preparation, collecting money and purchasing the necessary items in order to put the kits together.

The idea to do a collaborated service project was credited to Lincoln County community service coordinator, Kerala Martinez, a sophomore. Martinez said that she saw other schools doing service projects and participating in community events, and she wanted to do something likewise. With the help of her peers and teachers, she looked up service options on weserve.org and got in touch with Moapa Valley to do it together.
“I really love community service and fundraising, so I was excited to do something like this,” Martinez said.

Each school did their own fundraising in order to raise enough money to purchase the necessary items. Moapa Valley ended up to a total of approximately $300 while Lincoln County had a grand total of about $700.

At MVHS, jars had been left in the J4NG classroom and in the front office in order to promote donations. A video also was posted on Moapa Valley morning announcements, encouraging students to donate. The night before the fundraiser, the necessary items needed for the care package were purchased with the funds.

“We spent this money to buy onesies, sleepers, diapers, socks and wipes,” said Moapa Valley J4NG Activities Chairperson Andi Webber. “Individual kits are made and put into plastic bags and donated to refugees to help those who may need more care.”

J4NG students spent the rest of their time preparing the kits and organizing the products into the correct bags. Grace Leavitt, a sophomore, was really pleased with her experience. “I really had fun doing this service project!”she said. “It was really cool to meet all the Lincoln County kids and to be able to do something for people in need.”
“The tacos were also really good!” she added.

Anderson concluded by saying, “The students are the ones who did all of this. I’m really proud of all of them for working so hard.”