Project combines family fun, service
Mars Area Elementary School fourth-grader Savannah Swope rolled out sheets of dough with a wooden pin.
“It's really fun,” said Savannah, 10, about making dog treats. “If someone is in need, help them.”
Savannah was one of nearly 30 children and their families at the Kids R.O.C.K., or Reaching Our Community with Kindness, event at Orchard Hill Butler County, 107 Staley Ave., that gave preschool to fifth-grade students and their families an opportunity to serve the community through a variety of projects while having fun in the process.
Projects included coloring place mats for the Connoquenessing Meals on Wheels, making dog treats for the Butler County Humane Society, and coloring and writing messages of hope for Lighthouse Foundation Food Pantry clients.
This is the second event at the Butler campus that introduces children to community service and gives parents a chance to start the conversation about what that service means, said Jenna Bajuszik, family ministry director.
Heather Warheit, who has attended the church since it opened, had three of her children, ages 8, 6 and 4, participate.“Our prayer is always that other people see God's love in us, that we can spread God's love,” Warheit said.The community service teaches children to have a mind for service and think of others year-round, she said.“I think that it's really powerful because there's not a lot of opportunities for this age group,” she said.“As parents, we can follow up with 'Let's pray for the people who are getting out cards.' Why did we do that for the people at the nursing home?“It gives them a way to show their caring and gives us as a family a stepping point into deeper conversations,” said Warheit.
