Growing up in Loudoun County is often associated with money and privilege. However, that is not the case for some students and families in our local neighborhoods. Community service exists to help families who are less fortunate, giving them opportunities to live their best life.
Woodgrove High School offers students a variety of clubs and charities that can help students learn about the importance of giving back. Mrs. Kathleen Laguardia, club sponsor of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), works tirelessly to coordinate donations for those in need. “This is a very new club, so we are keeping our events small this year. That said, we just completed our very first food drive for the Woodgrove food pantry and collected over 1,300 items. This was very exciting for our club!” Laguardia shared. By engaging in volunteer activities such as organizing food drives and donations, students can directly contribute to the well-being of others and create positive changes in their community, leaving a lifelong impact.
Outside of participating in clubs, National Honor Society (NHS) is a balanced program for students to learn how to be a leader and serve their community. This organization recognizes students with a 3.5 GPA or above who have applied and been accepted while demonstrating strong character skills. Part of the NHS requirement is to complete 30 hours of community service and attend mandatory monthly meetings. Keeping track of service hours is very important to display a strong commitment to the program.
Ms. Sarah Emerson, NHS Sponsor, stated, “Being a leader is generous because you step up and take on responsibility. Leadership and service can go hand and hand and the distinction I see is leadership is anything you initiate. Practicing generosity is a good thing.” A generous leader not only contributes their own time and resources, but also inspires others to do the same. They lead with empathy and compassion while exhibiting strong character skills.
Many students in our local community are struggling with basic needs at home. Mrs. Elizabeth Ford, CEO and Founder of BetterALife, a non-profit organization located in Purcellville, shares about her own childhood. “I started my life as a child of hunger; the programs I put in place are what I needed that I didn’t get. I needed food at home and at school,” she recalls. BetterALife partners with Loudoun County Schools to ensure no child goes hungry.
Home life can be extremely challenging for some families. Some parents are often not home to teach their children basic life skills. To fill this gap, BetterALife holds weekly cooking classes and tutoring sessions, provided by NHS students. This service provides underserved students with the support they might not be getting at home. For those students who are in need of college support, BetterALife provides education. “We teach them about college grants and we also pay for every college application, so there isn’t a chance that children can’t apply for college,” Ford expressed.
For families struggling with purchasing food, BetterALife has a food pantry where individuals can take food items and other necessities. Students should not be afraid to seek help or take items as needed. The food pantry is designed to help students and families with short-term or longer term needs, regardless of income or status. Everyone is always welcome.
BetterALife holds four annual events each year. They are well known for their back-to-school events. Students receive a brand new backpack and get to pick all of their back to school necessities, using their school supply list from their designated school. Most of the supplies come from community donations. In the summertime, BetterALife organizes a BBQ with hot dogs and hamburgers for families to enjoy before the school year begins.
During Thanksgiving, families get to choose a turkey or ham as well as all of the Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts. For Christmas, each child gets to fill out a Christmas ornament with their Christmas wish. The ornament hangs on a tree called ¨A Child’s Wish.¨ Each child and their parents will receive gifts for Christmas. BetterALifes overall goal is to make sure every family feels special, not just during the holiday season, but everyday.
The power of one can change a community. Ford shares,¨It shows a different outlook on life, you see things you have never seen and you have a understanding of reality and the impact of change and what it can really do.¨
