2009.04.27
Photos: Students at Faith Christian get their hands dirty helping the Salvation Army
Students plant flowers at the Salvation Army as part of Project Faith. Emily Flora SWoCo
The Faith Christian School community held their annual Project Faith on Friday, April 24. They spent more than 2,000 volunteer hours at the Salvation Army locations in Roanoke.
Students participated by painting, landscaping, cleaning, and working on other projects at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, the main Corps Building and Community Center, the Red Shield Men's Lodge, and Turning Point Battered Women's Shelter.
Major Samuel VanDenberg with the Salvation Army said, "The students are here to help everything look better inside and out. The hope is that the kids have given back to the community and have something to be proud of."
VanDenberg said that Faith Christian came to them in January and said they saw the need and wanted to give back.
"It started out as a small project and endued up at all our locations. I think its great," he said. "The ladies and gentlemen that use these facilities are going to say, "wow" and be very appreciative. There should be more community projects like this. If one little school can do this, just think of what all of the schools could do."
Megan Sweeney, a 9th-grader at Faith Christian, said she was having fun painting benches and looking forward to her next task of the day.
"What we are doing alone is a lot of work and it really shows we care and are trying to help the community with everyday stuff. It's more work than you'd think," Sweeney said.
Faith Christian School at their celebration after Project Faith. Emily Flora SWoCo
After Project Faith was completed on Friday the students headed back to Faith Christian School to celebrate. Students enjoyed playing games on the soccer field, hot dogs and popsicles, and an inflatable machine. Head of School Samuel Cox thanked everyone who made Project Faith a success and thanked the volunteers and students for their service to the Salvation Army.
"It was so wonderful to see your warm hearts and spirits," he said.
This year's goal is $150,000 and Faith Christian and although they had a few weeks to reach that goal, as of Monday, April 27th they had raised $150,000.
If the school reaches its goal, just like last year, Cox will shave his head, Eric Cook will dye his hair green and Diane Kelly will also shave her head in honor of her sister, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and everyone else with cancer.
Last year the event raised more than $134,000- a school record, that went toward operating expenses, teacher salaries, educational materials and financial aid.
Check out more photos from Faith Christian's Project Faith here.
For more on Project Faith visit this recent story:
*Faith Christian students prepare to make a difference at the Salvation Army
