Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” And if there is anyone who exemplifies this idea of greatness, it’s the students from Helen Keller School of Alabama (HKS)!
“So often, students have many things given to them. Volunteering allows our students to give back to the community,” said Amy Shelly, Principal, HKS. “It also creates an opportunity for others to learn about our students and all they can do. We have created so many new and wonderful relationships while volunteering.”
“Our students have so much to give,” added Shannon Dodd, Transition Coordinator, HKS. “Over the past year and a half, it has been an amazing experience to see organizations from across Talladega recognize just how much our students have to give the community.”
HKS has a strong partnership with several organizations throughout Talladega. One such partnership is with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where students actively volunteer with Diaper Row, a community partnership between St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank that distributes diapers and wipes to families in Talladega, and Beans & Rice, a ministry offering bags of beans and rice, as well as hospitality, to guests who need some extra support.
“The students from HKS are always so excited to volunteer with Diaper Row,” said Lynn Sims, a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. “They take pride in their work and want to make sure it’s done right. Each month, they help unload and sort through seven to eight thousand diapers. To date, they’ve sorted over 85,000 diapers that have gone on to provide direct support for families in the Talladega and surrounding communities.”
For Beans & Rice, the students work in teams to scoop beans and rice into zip-lock bags that will be given to those in need. “They often compete to see who can get the most work done,” commented Janet Smith, a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. “This makes for quick work and we are grateful for their help.”
Each month, students from HKS Student Life visit with residents at The Seasons of Talladega Assisted Living. From enjoying musical instruments and singalongs to creating crafts and decorating, everyone enjoys the time spent together.
“The residents love it when our students visit and are very appreciative,” expressed LeeAnne Vondracek, Director of Student Life at HKS. “I wanted to make it a monthly activity this year for our students to give back to this particular community.”
Students from HKS have also volunteered to support food drives provided by the United Way of North Talladega County. “During the food drives, every student had a job,” explained Valerie Burrage, Executive Director, United Way of North Talladega County. “From bagging fruits and vegetables to loading cars, their support of the United Way of North Talladega County lets the community see that they can give back to the community like any other volunteer.”
Through their volunteer efforts, the students at HKS have positively impacted the communities around them and together, they have soared to greatness!
