(November 22, 2024) Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and students from School Without Walls are helping those less fortunate this holiday season.
On Wednesday, November 20, students from the school joined the efforts at Aenon Missionary Baptist Church, packing Thanksgiving dinners for families across Monroe County. Their contributions were part of a larger community initiative led by Unity and Healing through Hope of Monroe County, which collected food donations from Tops locations, police stations, churches, and other partners.
This collaboration began with Chief of Schools Donna Lucy-Lender, who introduced the idea of involving School Without Walls students in packing Thanksgiving dinners. Her vision connected the school’s commitment to community service with the broader initiative, creating an opportunity for students to contribute to a countywide effort to support families facing hardships.
“The joy and excitement those students felt while giving back was truly inspiring,” said Principal Aylin Rodriguez. “Their spirit of generosity made this event a beautiful reflection of the compassion that denies our school community.”
Now a proud community partner with Aenon Missionary Baptist Church, School Without Walls looks forward to future collaborations. For the students, this service opportunity was especially significant, because it brought them closer to completing the 300 community service hours required for graduation and allowed them to make a tangible impact on the lives of others.
This Saturday, the initiative will continue with a pre-Thanksgiving dinner honoring veterans and families impacted by violence. The event will be held at Aenon Missionary Baptist Church on Genesee Street, starting at 5 p.m.
