ServiceWire is a project of Youth Service America
We Are a Solution: Youth Changing the World through Service-Learning Multimedia Showcase (Deadline: January 22)
Submitted by NationalService... on Sat, 01/16/2010 - 17:39
With support from the State Farm Insurance Companies Foundation, the National Service-Learning Partnership (NSLP) at the Academy for Educational Development is helping us shine a bold spotlight on the many ways in which we as young people are changing the world. It is a national service-learning recognition program for youth, by youth. Through the We Are a Solution: Youth Changing the World through Service-Learning Multimedia Showcase, young people can express how they are transforming their communities, their schools, and even their own lives through service-learning. Youth groups (e.g., classes, community-based teams, or clubs) grades K-12 are eligible. Entries will be sorted into three divisions by grade level: Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12). $500 prize for each category winner! All entry packages must be complete and received by NSLP by January 22, 2010, 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Limit one entry per youth group/team/class. http://www.service-learningpartnership.org
"Help Change the Community"
DMS student reaches out to the community | View Clip
12/16/2009
Mooresville/Decatur Times, The
DMS student reaches out to the community
Staff report DECATUR TOWNSHIP
As residents prepare to enjoy the holidays with their families, one Decatur Middle School student is trying to inspire others about the true meaning of Christmas and to give from the heart.
Ashley Slayton, a seventh grade student at DMS, filled every inch of her mother's car full of Christmas gifts in order to be delivered in time for the holidays after starting a project in August called "Help Change the Community."
She urged her fellow classmates to make monetary donations to help buy Christmas gifts for children from kindergarten through eighth grade who would usually go without. Unfortunately, the money collected in the donation bottles was not enough to fund this project, but she persisted.
Ashley wrote letters to her teachers, friends, family members and local businesses asking them to donate new and gently-used gift bags and other needed items. She also took donations from students, teachers, her family and the community.
The 13-year-old faced difficulties with this project. It took months to collect all of the supplies. Yet, she still
spent time cleaning items so they would bring joy to the children in need within the community.
Ashley held a fund-raiser at Halloween called "Treating for a Cause" to help with the expense where volunteers donated their candy to help fill the gift bags with goodies. She shopped clearance aisles, yard sales and even gave up some of her own possessions to make this project a success. She collected clothes and made a form with sizes and gender so schools could request clothing.
Ashley exceeded her goal of making more than 100 gifts for students in Decatur Township, and the schools were very grateful to have these gifts. She wrote Christmas cards to attach with each ofthe gifts. She wished the individual a Merry Christmas and said that she hoped her small gift would put a smile on their face this holiday season, hoping to inspire them to help others when they have the chance.
"I want to show the kids I care and offer them hope that their future will be better," Ashley said.
She is part of the Decatur Middle School student council and plans to help with the Christmas party that the club has planned for kindergarten students who are in need.
"Our family has been blessed to be able to share with others," said Ashely's father, Mike Slayton. "We concentrate on living life to the fullest and doing things that will improve the lives of others.
"We don't fret over acquiring monetary possessions. Instead, we focus on caring about others in our community who need our help."
Slayton added, "Ashley's project has been a real blessing to our family and has brought all of the iimportant things in life into focus. We learned that time is really the greatest gift you could give anyone, and it makes a world of difference."
Residents can help Ashley by making donations of Christmas gift bags, wrapping paper, bows, stuffed animals, books, children's toys and more in the main office of Decatur Middle School, attention: Ashley Slayton.
Mike Slayton said Ashley was invited to be a guest speaker at this year's Relay for Life Decatur Township kick-off. She is working on putting a team together for the weekend of June 26-27. Ashley really needs the community support to make this happen. The community can participate in the Relay for Life walk, where all the proceeds are
donated to the American Cancer Society to help find a cure for all cancers. Email Ashley at Ashley@ NanasCancerMiracles.com to get more information or to sign up.
Decatur Middle School principal, Mr. Mark Anderson and Early Childhood Center social worker, Beth Buchanan, share a special moment with Ashley Slayton who prepared 150 Christmas gifts for Children in Decatur Township. Ashley and other students loaded flat bed carts with Christmas presents to be delivered to the schools in Decatur Township for children in K-8th grade. Submitted photo.
Return to Top
Post new comment