Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students at Victoria East High School (VEHS) recently completed many forms of community service including donating to area first responders, the homeless community and pet organizations.
Prior to COVID-19, student participation in community service was a requirement of the program. To alleviate some stress on students, community service became optional this semester for extra credit.
Students could earn points for each type of community service they participated in, with the ability to earn up to 100 points of extra credit. Students could earn points by donating a canned food item, making homeless goodie bags with two to three travel-sized toiletry items, donating blankets or gently used jackets and peanut butter for Christ’s Kitchen and donating cases of water to local first responders.
Amanda Blaschke, AVID teacher at VEHS, invited Tracy Fox, Victoria Fire Chief; Robert Arredondo, City of Victoria Chief of Police; and Justin Marr, Victoria County Sheriff, to come to VEHS and accept the donations on behalf of the Victoria East AVID students. Blaschke also invited Brother Gary Moses, retired teacher and community advocate, who came out to show his support for both the students and first responders.
Overall, out of approximately 150 AVID students, the following items were donated. All of the numbers are approximate:
50 canned goods
30 jars of peanut butter
40 blankets
70 jackets
15 cold-weather items such as socks, mittens and beanies
20 pet items such as food, toys
17 cases of water
20 homeless goodie bags
Students could also earn points by attending the Veteran’s Day Parade on Nov. 11. Approximately 20 students attended. Students were also able to complete community service hours and completed more than 100 hours of community service hours combined.
We applaud your dedication to community service and helping others. Thank you for making us #VISDProud.