Solomon students have stepped up this year to meet increasing community needs. During the winter months, Solomon staff anticipated a change in how to best support local seniors. While OGF typically provided gift cards for groceries, this year the funds were used to provide one gift card alongside five ready-to-heat meals prepared and delivered by student organizations.
OGF facilitator, Dean Ann Zsamba and FACS teacher Katy Vinson discussed using the student-led business, Gorilla Grub, to prepare these meals. It was an easy, ‘Yes!’, from Vinson who had a strong culinary group. Under Vinson’s instruction, the students learned about food and supply costing, menu planning, and quantity of food preparation. They prepared 2-serving frozen meals designed to be reheated in minutes. We’re grateful to students, Allison A., Aaliyah R., Breken C., Brenden K., Briley R., Cara S., Caylee C., Cariah C., Koehn D., Isaac H., Jack W., and Zayden H., for their hard work.
Delivery responsibilities were handled by the National Honor Society (NHS) and FBLA. Under the supervision of Tina Jacquart and Rachel Livingston, students volunteered their time in January and February. Livingston noted, “We have the opportunity to give back and be generous. We’re teaching success in these students, and successful people give back.”
With Zsamba maintaining connections with seniors and Jacquart driving the students, each delivery was a success. Zsamba observed, “The contact between the senior citizens and our students has been valuable. It’s enlightening to see how frugally some of our citizens live, which just drives home the need for this kind of service.”
The student volunteers gained valuable perspective from the experience. Jacquart recounted that, “It’s hard work and it’s something that can cause anxiety as it’s somebody the kids don’t know who they are going to meet but when the delivery is made, the looks on both the kids and senior citizens’ faces is very rewarding. It’s teaching a life lesson on how important it is to give back to the community that supports them.”.
Here are some of the valuable insights our volunteer students had, when asked about their experience.
Aryana B, “some people really appreciate the smallest things you do. I even had a couple invite me into their home and had a conversation with me.”
Kyndra B, felt, “glad to have the opportunity. It was a very good experience and I would love to do it again.”
Aiden S. explained, “I was excited. I would definitely do this again because I love seeing the people and their reactions are always the best. It never hurts to help others.
Cooper C. found that it made him, “ feel happy about my community and the work I did for it. Seeing their smiles and gratitude feels like enough of a payment.”
“The growth of Operation Gorilla Family highlights the incredible spirit of our student body. As Zsamba points out, joining a community-focused organization is the best way for youth to see the real-world impact they can make. This sense of pride is shared by students across the district. Ashley M. (NHS) finds fulfillment in the ‘cost-free’ act of kindness, believing it builds a strong foundation for the future. For FBLA leaders like Aryana B. and Kyndra B., volunteering is about selfless service and mastering ‘the little things’ that define good citizenship. We invite all students to get involved and find their own way to give back.”