On Harvest Feast Day, the Community Service Elective partnered with the non-profit, Joyful Giving to create a fun buddy filled community service project called, "A Day of Joyful Giving". Students teamed up with their buddy to become Joy Makers by assembling 1,000 Joy Maker bags!!

These bags are full of essential items, like socks, chapstick, body wash, shampoo, hand warmers, and toothpaste. As well as bags specifically for children full of squishy toys, pop-its, and fun erasers. Each bag is designed to look like a present, with a bow, and a piece of chocolate inside. These bags were going to many different places, like Reilly Children's Hospital, Promise Neighborhood, Community Services for Children, and Operation Address the Homeless.

Students part of the Community Service elective were true leaders in this project on the day, making sure all the other students knew exactly how to make the bags. These students had also been making Joy Maker bags throughout the trimester, but they also led the charge in fundraising for the items that we used on the Day of Joyful Giving. We received a grant from the TeenWorks board after an incredible presentation given by Sophia Brancato and Lia Nnenkwo, students ran an in school fundraiser, and also helped raise awareness during our fall performances. With over 1,000 Joy Maker bags made, it was truly joyful to see and hear students talking about how important it is for others in the community to feel special and loved.