The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake Catholic seniors provide day of service
Lake Catholic seniors serve Thanksgiving meal to Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood clients.
Clients of the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood excitedly filled the cafeteria at the Willoughby Branch, 2100 Joseph Lloyd Parkway, where eight seniors from Lake Catholic High School were waiting to serve them a Thanksgiving meal.
Each year, all of the seniors from Mentor-based Lake Catholic go out into the community, where they spend a day volunteering with many organizations.
“This is a day that most of our students look forward to each year and take with them as a cherished day from their time at Lake Catholic,” Campus Minister Alison Ellis said.
This year, of the 200 student volunteers, 37 of them provided services to four county Board of DD/Deepwood programs.
At Broadening Abilities, 15 students assisted with serving a Thanksgiving lunch, while another eight students served the annual turkey luncheon sponsored by Willoughby Advocacy and Deepwood Industries at the Willoughby Branch.
At Broadmoor, there were four seniors helping teachers in the classroom with lesson plans, reading to students and walking them in the hallways.
At the Vocational Guidance Center, 10 students helped with baking cookies and other activities.
“The goal is for the students to have an opportunity to make a difference for someone in the community,” according to a news release.
Katie Huth, director at the Willoughby Branch and a graduate of Lake Catholic High School, said this is by far her favorite tradition.
“This is great, they (Lake Catholic students) come every year. I think this is the fifth year,” she said. She also noted that afterward, all of the clients would be watching the movie “Turkey Fest.”
Jessica Mitchell, a teacher at Lake Catholic, thinks it’s a great thing and provides the students a chance to give back to the community.
“The students work on service hours from their freshman to senior years, and all of the seniors in the school are out serving in Lake and Cuyahoga counties today,” Mitchell said. “Today is called Turkey Day. It’s pragmatic, hands-on work. It’s a big deal and a special day.”
Mitchell also said that all of the seniors will return back to the school when they are finished volunteering and come together for a turkey luncheon to celebrate the day’s activities.
The seniors enjoy taking part in providing the volunteer service.
Summer Yu said it was pretty fun and that she enjoyed helping with the food.
JenJen Zhu thought it was relaxing and said it was fun to help other people.
James Gao thought the opportunity to help others was wonderful and enjoyed helping the clients make decorations that expressed what they were thankful for.
Frank Powers, whose aunt was a former client, thought it was interesting to see how the facility operated and that it was pretty cool to have the opportunity to help.
Cury Dai described the ability to help as unforgettable, saying this was his first time making food for people. Normally, it was his parents cooking for him.
Robert Chaplin, Lake Catholic senior, said he thinks it is pretty cool that students are given the opportunity to give back to their local community.
Willoughby Branch client Roger Norton said was excited to be a part of the luncheon.
“I love it, I like everything, the turkey, mashed potatoes, I love it,” he said.
Elfie Roman, superintendent of Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood, said the organization looks forward to working with the students every year.
“It is one more way for Lake County Board of DD/ Deepwood to enrich the lives of the individuals and the community we serve by providing empowering activities that engage two groups who normally don’t have an opportunity to get to know one another, ”she said. “It increases not only awareness about disabilities, but full inclusion of all individuals in their communities.”