Service hours are encouraged for students at SLHS, with many programs like the IB diploma and honors societies requiring them. While service hours are not explicitly required to graduate, they are tracked and often contribute to a college resume. Many students struggle to find opportunities that are enjoyable and count for community service. Here are some activities students can participate in to get service hours.
Volunteer Reston
Volunteer Reston is an organization that offers local community service opportunities for volunteers, usually with the intention of helping the environment or ensuring local events run smoothly. The events have lots of variety when it comes to the types of service needed, so it can be easy for students to find something they will enjoy. Opportunities can include anything from dressing up as a mascot to removing plastic from a creek. After creating an account on their website, volunteers will receive emails updating them about available events.
Cornerstones
Volunteering for Cornerstones often involves helping the community by lending a hand at the community shelter or at farmers markets. There are multiple programs available through Cornerstone, including food drives, clothing drives, tutoring, and organizing food donations.
Jaya Chatfield, a freshman at South Lakes, volunteered for Cornerstones by making baked goods for the Embry Rucker Community Shelter. She received one hour of community service for each batch of food she made in addition to an hour for the time it took to deliver the items.
“It’s a pretty easy way to get a lot of hours,” Chatfield said. “You feel like you’re doing something [for the community].” Food donations can be made at any time and the type of food is not limited.
Another service opportunity Cornerstones offers is gleaning, where volunteers go through food that was not purchased at the Farmer’s Market and bring it over to the Community Shelter.
Reclaim Our Vote
Reclaim Our Vote is a program through the Center for Common Ground where volunteers write postcards to potential voters encouraging them to vote. Postcards and stamps are provided to volunteers as well as a script on what to write. Volunteers are welcomed to decorate the post cards to get the attention of voters as well.
Interact Club
Interact Club is a club here at South Lakes where students get together after school to work on service projects. Examples of these projects include making cards for school staff and posters for local events. The club works in collaboration with the Rotary club of Reston/Herndon to help students develop leadership skills. Interact club meets on the last Wednesday of every month.
“Interact club is good because it helps out with the community,” Anya Crevits, a freshman in Interact club, added. “It’s helping out the school, you’re giving back to the community, and you’re also getting service hours.” In addition, she recommends that students join Interact club because students can earn a tassel for their graduation cap after attending enough meetings and two service projects.
For those interested in joining the club, email the club sponsor Ms. Welborn at: tlwelborn@fcpsschools.net
Service hours don’t have to be a tedious requirement. There are many opportunities for student volunteers to enjoy themselves and hang out with friends while giving back to the community.
