By Kelley Chambers, Star Local News
Plano East High School students donated time and energy to their local community last week as part of the Love Where You Live program. More than 50 students volunteered for the revitalization initiative that connects the city and local volunteers willing to help improve the neighborhoods they live in.
The students — members of Plano East Student Senate, Student Council, Student LULAC, IBBSA members and ROTC Cadets — painted curbs, cleaned alleys of debris and marked storm drains for proper disposal.
“It was an absolutely beautiful day and besides, what kid actually gets to use spray paint and use it on the sidewalk [without getting into trouble],” said Ann Palesky, East teacher and advisor. “Our city is so huge and we have 3,000 students at our school, so it can be difficult to connect. This got our students out in the community.”
Love Where You Live originated from Chase Oaks Church in Plano, which created an alliance with the city of Plano two years ago to open up the program to everyone within the community. The city works in conjunction by designating community service projects based on the neighborhood’s specific needs.
Last week’s project encompassed much of the Meadows subdivision, where 20 houses were targeted for repairs such as painting, roof and fence repair and general litter abatement. The program was incorporated into the Student Senate leadership course because service is a part of leadership, said Palesky, a member of Chase Oaks Church.
“We really try to serve — we have serving hearts — and this is what I try to do with my students,” Palesky said. “The kids just took off with it. They loved the idea that they could work right here in their community.”
Student Senate Historian Delaney Nelson said she has done volunteering in the past but had not been a part of something that put her face to face with her neighbors.
“We separated into groups and some did curb painting, and others picked up trash around the playgrounds at the schools and stuff,” Nelson said. “One old lady actually came out and gave us lollipops and was thanking us and everything. It was a very fulfilling experience for me.”
Fellow Student Senate committee member Toni Ibidapo is also a member of Chase Oaks Church and was proud to see the number of students eager to sign up before even knowing the task at hand. Having presented the idea to her fellow senators, Ibidapo said her next goal is to organize a volunteer group to visit a local soup kitchen.
“I think it’s important to get kids involved in the community and helping the less fortunate,” said Ibidapo, who plans on being a nurse after high school. “There are so many who want to, but they just don’t know how to. This is an outlet for those who want to do it but don’t have the manpower.”
