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Volunteer Spirit Takes Root

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 8, 2009

TAMPA - Twenty freshmen from Berkeley Preparatory School laid sod, installed edging and picked up trash at Al Lopez Park on Wednesday.

The teens were among more than 150 students from the private school in northwest Hillsborough County who volunteered throughout the community at schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other spots.

While they were gone, the eighth-graders took their places, testing out high school with 30-minute classes. They'll also get a chance to volunteer - middle school students participate in five service projects a year.

Pre-kindergarten and elementary children help out in the community as well, with responsibilities increasing the older they get, said high school math teacher Mike Van Treese. By the time they reach high school, students are expected to put in 21 hours a year as volunteers. Some comes from work the school does, such as at the park. Other students put in hours on their own time.

Colleen Cambier, 15, spends Saturdays at Mease Countryside Hospital, discharging patients and getting charts for nurses. Samantha Franz, 14, has volunteered at Metropolitan Ministries. George Ordiway, 15, helps at his church and participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Al Lopez coordinated with the Mayor's Beautification Program to bring in the Berkeley volunteers.

Berkeley Prep has been a good partner, said Debbie Evenson, the executive director of the Mayor's Beautification Program. In seven years, students have volunteered 4,320 hours with the program, she said. That equates to about $82,000, she said.

Courtney Cairns Pastor

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