Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Students learn importance of serving those in need
Several Devon Prep upper school students recently traveled 12 hours to Tennessee where they spent their nights sleeping on a classroom floor, and their days painting, sanding, tearing down drywall, pulling up tile and cleaning. And all of them found the experience quite rewarding.
The ten young men and two chaperons spent a week in Tennessee working for Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Chattanooga Area, a locally organized and governed nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds affordable homes in Chattanooga. They partner with volunteers and low income families to build houses that are sold at no profit and with no interest.
“I saw the service trip as an opportunity to help others not just in my local community but in an area that I had never been to before,” said rising senior Matthew Ferrie of Downingtown. “It really helped me see that all over the country, and the world, millions of people are struggling.”
After getting settled at St. Paul Episcopal Church where the group slept in sleeping bags in classrooms, they attended an orientation on what to expect during their week of service. Their first project took place in ReStore, Habitat for Humanity’s thrift store that benefits the organization and the people that it serves. The boys spent a day organizing and sorting donations, cleaning up the stock yard, and landscaping.
The next project took place in the organization’s warehouse where the students worked on different parts of a house being built in the area. They spent two days sanding and painting siding for the outside of the house and cabinetry for the inside. Working on this project gave many of the students a sense of satisfaction knowing that they were helping to complete a family’s home.
“What made this trip special for me was the day we worked in the warehouse, fixing, sanding, and painting cabinets,” said Rising Senior Justin Chambers of Glenmoore. “We were told the cabinets were going to a family that has never been able to afford a working or functional kitchen. It’s that connection that made me feel the trip was very worthwhile.”
Rising Junior Luke Grycewicz of Phoenixville couldn’t agree more. “One of the most outstanding parts of our work in Chattanooga was when our supervisor told us the story of the family we were helping and how the people doing the construction could not complete the house without our help,” he said.
Their final project included a full day working on Habitat for Humanity’s revitalization program in the poverty stricken Glass Farm District of Chattanooga. They started demolition on an abandoned building that once was housed a thriving business. The goal was to renovate the space so that a new business could move in. They tore down walls, pulled up floor tiles, and in general demolished the space. By the end of the day the space was ready for the next phase of renovation.
“At the end of the day I wanted to be able to say that we as a team were able to accomplish
something that will allow other people to achieve more in their lives,” Ferrie said. “The trip as a whole taught me invaluable lessons of accomplishment and selflessness. While we were working throughout the day you realized that there are many people who are not nearly as fortunate as we all are, and that we should look to help others who are in true need.”
Although the main purpose was to do service, time was built into the trip for the group to explore the Chattanooga area, see some of the sights, go swimming and even take in a Chattanooga Lookouts minor league baseball game. Getting to know the area gave the boys a deeper understanding of the needs of those living there. It also provided an opportunity for the boys to bond with each other.
“I went on the service trip to help those who are less fortunate, get involved in community service, and bond with the other students,” Chambers explained. “I learned that there are many people who are less fortunate and are in need of help, but also realized that there are many good and caring people in the world who are willing to help and give hope to those in need.”
“It was both a tough and rewarding week,” said Faculty Member and Chaperon Mr. Dylan Gavin. “The boys were exposed to people who were less fortunate then they are and they realized that even the smallest amount of help can go a long way.”
Devon Prep is a private, catholic, college preparatory school for boys in grades six through 12 focused on the holistic education of young men for life. Located on a picturesque 20 acre campus in Devon, Chester County, Devon Prep enrolls nearly 300 students who hail from the five county Philadelphia area. Learn more about Devon Prep at the Fall Open House on Sunday, October 1 from 10 AM – 1 PM, 363 North Valley Forge Road in Devon. For more information call 610 -688-7337 or visit devonprep.com.