Emily Hart, TVMS NJHS sponsor, said because NJHS is a service organization, each year she likes to incorporate service projects that serve the South Plains community. In past years, Hart said she has taken students to visit nursing home residents, encourage pediatric patients at University Medical Center, and to volunteer at the South Plains Food Bank. 

“This year has been somewhat of a challenge with COVID-19 not allowing us to participate in service opportunities,” Hart said. “I reached out to Meals on Wheels after seeing a post on the Volunteer Lubbock website in which they were asking for decorated bags to bring some cheer during this difficult time.” 

Hart said that is when she decided her NJHS students would be perfect for the task. She said she introduced the idea of a decorating challenge to her students, and they ran with it.

 “Students were very excited to be presented with this engaging opportunity to help others in our community,” Hart said. “They used supplies like stickers, beads, rhinestones, and doilies, and they were eager to participate in the challenge.”

 Hart said she was touched by the messages the students added to the food bags.

 “Students wrote messages such as ‘You are special,’ ‘You matter,’ and ‘You are loved,’” Hart said. “I think it is important for students to participate in projects like this one because they need to understand that part of being a member of a service organization requires them to reach out of their comfort zone and, even at their age, realize they can make a real-life impact on our community.”

Hart said Meals on Wheels was impressed and thankful for the effort of these TVMS students. She said they were genuinely grateful that her students took the time to do this.

 “As Frenship students, these kids are representing their school and community by volunteering and encouraging others through this difficult time,” Hart said. “This was such a rewarding way to serve our community and is something that we will definitely do again.”