McPherson High School
McPherson, Kansas
Teacher: Robin Long
My Community
By Josh Rice
12th Grade
Many people in this country grow up in families that are less fortunate [than others]. Some may not have enough food to eat, some may not even have a roof over their heads. I always had food to eat, and a roof over my head, but even though it was not always the best, it was still there. This is where community starts. Many different people and places in a community help those less fortunate, one of which is the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army is a foundation that helps with people of all ages that are not able to provide on their own. They have shelters that help with people not having anywhere to go, any food to eat, or not having anything but the clothes on their back. Around Christmastime every year, there are many of the red kettles around in stores, or bell ringers outside of the bigger department stores. This [is] one way they help to bring hope to those who are suffering from poverty. This is how they provide shelter and food for those less fortunate. Every little penny that is placed in that kettle helps.
Another organization that helps is the Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). I, being the president of our local organization, have seen many people’s lives…filled with hope and joy thanks to the little things we do. The Angel Tree is a program in which less fortunate children are registered and their names are placed on a card which is then placed on a tree. Our organization then goes and chooses three names every year and buys gifts for them. The rest of the names are then chosen by different members of our community. Just knowing that we provided the gifts that very well may be the only gift that child gets for Christmas is an amazing feeling.
Another organization that FCCLA is involved with is the American Cancer Society. Every year, our organization has provided the challenge of raising money and developing and preparing a team to participate in the Relay for Life in the summer. Every little bit of money that we raise goes straight to research for a cure or to different cancer patients and their families. This is a really important program to our community as we have been stricken with the pain and heartache of losing a much-loved teacher to cancer.
The Ronald McDonald house is a charity organization that gives the parents of children in the hospital a place to stay for long periods of time for next to nothing. This organization has helped with many different families who, without this program, would not be able to stay with their children in their time of greatest need.
Head Start is another program that helps less fortunate children have a chance to go to preschool for free. I, as a child living below the poverty level, was given the luxury of preschool thanks to this program. Every morning, the bus would come pick me up, along with the other kids, and take me home every afternoon. Without this program, I would not have had the chance to go to preschool, and get a “head start” on school.
Mt. Hope Sanctuary is a shelter for battered women and children. Not only does it give them a safe place to get away from an abusive situation, but it also helps them get back on their feet. This program has not only helped women in our community, but has saved the lives of numerous women and children.
My youth group at First Baptist is an amazing example of a selfless community. We volunteer to do everything from raking leaves, to shoveling snow, and even painting houses. We also have a quite fun program called Helping Hands. Helping Hands is a program where people call or write or tell someone “hey, we are moving,” or they need something done around their yard or house that they are not able to do.
McPherson High School is a community all in itself. During the last four years, I have been through a lot. It has been my refuge. School has offered me a better environment, one in which I know I can succeed and be someone. My teachers have been a great influence on my life. They have told me time and time again, “You can do it” or “Do not give up, keep trying”. Without this, I would probably have dropped out because it got too hard. My friends have been there through it all, too. Again, they all let me know how great I am and how great I can be.
A community is something that is there when you need it, whether you need a volunteer or someone to talk to. A community is family. Family is always there no matter what the situation. This is my community.