Spreading Joy Through Seeds of Kindness and Help
Kindness Across Cultures
Wren and Katherine are two high-school students who came to the U.S. as part of a foreign exchange program. To complete the program, the two girls needed to participate in 30 hours of community service, and they both chose to fulfill that through The Salvation Army.
Through their experience with The Army, they learned about building relationships, the importance of being part of a community and the impact of giving back to that community. They were able to witness how The Army’s work transformed not only the lives of those in need but also in their own lives.
“I never felt this amount of desire to give back to the community because when I was back home, I almost took it for granted that I was part of a community,” Katherine said. “And then coming here and seeing how welcomed I was, I realized that if there was any way to give back, this would be the best place to do it.”
Henley Garden Project by the Development Team
In observance of National Volunteer Week and Earth day, the Development Team banded together to donate and build three planter boxes for The Salvation Army Henley Youth Center.
While walking the property one morning, they saw a little cart full of tiny pots with seeds and tiny plant buds. The team learned from the teachers that a garden was on the center's wishlist. This would give the children an experimental learning opportunity that will help promote healthy habits, teach responsibility and fosters a deeper understanding of nature and the environment.
The development team went to work that next morning and they were able to complete the job before the children came back to the center in the afternoon. They were so excited and appreciative, they made a huge thank you card for the team. “This initiative aims to create a positive impact for future generations, inspiring them to pay it forward and continue to transform lives.”
