Summer has brought out the best in some of our volunteers, and we want to salute your great work. You are making a difference!
In this issue:
Community comes together for vets
Day 1: A ShreveCorps member tries to level the ground for the retaining wall around the garden. | Generous spirits and hard work are transforming a vacant lot into a beautiful garden.
Shreveport Green's ShreveCorps, a service program that allows students ages 17 to 21 to earn money for college, took the lead on building a garden at the Veterans Transitional Living Program.
"We're just giving back to them," said Brandi Jackson, a 17-year-old member of ShreveCorps.
When they arrived Monday, a gravel-ridden plot and ambitions plans for six raised beds and retaining walls awaited. The garden was designed by local landscape architect William Loe, and Lowes Home Improvement donated the materials.
They started the work, and Tuesday the space really started to take shape as they were joined by a group of volunteers from the Civil Engineering Squadron at Barksdale and RSVP.
Eventually, the garden will include places for reflection as well as allow the veterans to grow some of their own vegetables.
"It will give them somewhere to sit and enjoy," said 21-year old Brandon Lewis, of ShreveCorps.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!
Teen spends summer volunteering
Brandon Banks (top) and the Central LightHouse kids interrupt their game to pose for a picture. |
Brandon Banks could be relaxing at home or working a summer job to pay for textbooks, but the 17-year-old is chasing elementary school students at Central Elementary's LightHouse program.
His mom is a paraprofessional at the program, and talked him into volunteering. Brandon assists with their regular PE class, playing games and even inventing games to help them get excited about being in the summer program. And he's generous with hugs and smiles.
"Sometimes it's not the best thing (for a kid) to go to summer school," he said. "I just hope they have a good experience."
A sheepish grins spreads on Brandon's face and he looks away as Chad Johnson, the staff PE coach, heaps praise on Brandon's work.
"He's been a great help; he's a positive influence," Johnson said.
A 2010 graduate of C.E. Byrd, Brandon plans to go to Northwestern State University and study pre-med in the fall. He'll take with him lessons in leadership and patience.
For other teenagers, he encourages them to get involved.
"It's fun to volunteer here."
Good food for a good cause
Bistro Byronz is celebrating its second year in business by giving back to the community with a benefit dinner.
Come for dinner on Monday, August 16 at 6 p.m. or 7:45 p.m. Proceeds will go to Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier, which helps women in need with work appropriate clothes and job readiness skills.
The fixed menu is $25 per person excluding bar drinks, gratuity and tax.
Please contact Sabra Scoggin to make your reservation with your seating time and number in your party by e-mailing [email protected].
Reservations are due by August 12.
|
|