“Success has nothing to do with
what you gain in life or accomplish
for yourself.  It’s what you do for others.”
                    -Danny Thomas

 
          As children of God, we are called to serve others with grace, kindness, and understanding.  In order to instill this calling, students need to be given the opportunity to extend their gifts and selflessness to those in need.  There is no greater gift given than time and effort.  For our 8th grade class, time and effort was happily provided four times this year on our service trips.  Each quarter, we were able to serve others for half of the school day, which supports one of our school Learning Expectations—Others First.  To say that each student learned from these experiences and gained knowledge of our place as followers of Christ would be an understatement. 
     
      Since the start of this school year, the 8th graders have split into three groups for the purpose of dedicating as much time as possible to community service in an area around Spokane.  We dedicated our trips to three places, each time we went to St. Margaret’s, St. Anne’s, and House of Charity.  At St. Margaret’s, a shelter for women and children, students were sorting donations, decorating for the seasons, cleaning the playrooms, and sorting laundry for new guests that came to stay there.  At St. Anne’s, a school and care center for children, the students helped in the classrooms, played with the children on the playground, and washed toys for the classrooms.  Finally, at House of Charity, an organization dedicated to feeding the homeless, the students prepared lunch and served lunch for the homeless and less fortunate. 

          We are called to love and to serve our fellow brothers and sisters around us.  As part of our school mission, the 8th grade was granted the opportunity to do just that.  Each of us will take these experiences with us, as we continue to grow and learn.  We plan to continue this service each year with the hope of increasing a few more days into service for the community.  I have never been more proud of my students here at Assumption for not only their dedication to each of the places they went, but also to their willingness and selfless attitudes to serve others.  I look forward to many more trips with my students here at Assumption in the future!
 
With gratitude,
Mrs. Tayne