On December 16th, 2023, thirteen volunteers came together in the Lexington Community Center to make origami, holiday cards, and a gift bakset as part of the Minuteman Chapter’s annual holiday drive for Youville Place Lexington. With the students planning to deliver them to Youville on December 23rd, the Lexington Minuteman Chapter looks forward to bringing all the holiday joy from participants to their local seniors!
Written by Owen He
Edited by Melinda Yu
On November 25th, 2023, the Lexington Minuteman Chapter organized an event to help decorate the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield. Students across Massachusetts from 8th to 10th grade gathered together to support RMHC. From hanging baubles to building a miniature train, volunteers helped turn a regular lobby into a festive holiday welcome. The Minuteman Chapter looks forward to organizing another event on December 16th to make holiday cards for the local elderly!
Written by Carter He
Edited by Melinda Yu
On September 10th, 2023, five high school volunteers from the North Kentucky Student Corps chapter turned their collective enthusiasm for decluttering into a heartwarming funding event. Setting up makeshift stalls in the Kentuckiana Chinese School, they displayed a diverse array of items they no longer needed; these items ranged from well-loved video games to educational books that had outgrown their utility. Committed to the well-being of their community, volunteers priced everything to be wallet-friendly for their younger peers heading to and from the school. This brought joy to the young children who received valuable finds — creating an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie. As kids stopped by, the volunteers enjoyed bright smiles and friendly banter, making the experience much more than just a transaction. It was a testament to the power of a community coming together to support one another, turning an ordinary afternoon into a memorable experience!
In addition, the NKYSC addressed a critical health concern: radon exposure, a prevalent issue in many regions of Kentucky and the second leading cause of lung cancer. The students took proactive steps by offering radon testing services to local homeowners and have reached out to over 50 families. A significant number of households remain unaware of the elevated radon levels present in their residences and the associated health risks. Besides radon testing, the dedicated student volunteers explained to families the potential radon mitigation solutions. In total, the radon testing donations and the community charity sale efforts have raised over $880 in donations.
Written by Daisy Qian & Summer Li
Edited by Melinda Yu
On July 23, 2023, volunteers from The Bridge Chapter, ranging in age from eleven to seventeen, visited Lindsay Street to help their community. Accompanied by Regine Watson, a resident of Lindsay Street, the volunteers knocked on each door, introduced themselves, and handed out bags of candies and daily supplies to the neighborhood. Every volunteer spoke directly with the recipients and discussed community building between cultures. These presents were appreciated by the neighbors, and it was great to see them smile! We also set up a table full of free coffee and pastries outside on the street. Our goal was that as people came out of their houses, they would talk with each other and build better connections.
Lastly, the volunteers picked up broken branches, cans, and paper along the sidewalks, establishing a cleaner living environment. In the future, The Bridge hopes to plan more activities like cross-cultural events to build understanding and connections within the community.
Written by Xixi Cui
Edited by Melinda Yu
On August 27, 2023, ten young volunteers representing the Lexington Minuteman Chapter of Student Corps, whose ages ranged from ten to seventeen years old, accompanied by two members of the Sunshine for All Foundation visited Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Springfield, Massachusetts, to support them with housework and cooking.
The volunteers all did their best to help RMHC in many areas, picking up trash around the building, preparing packages filled to the brim with beautiful handcrafts and scrumptious snacks for future residents, organizing pull tabs from soda cans, and recycling cans and collecting deposit fees. They also prepared a delectable lunch consisting of homemade pizza, chicken wings, spring rolls, and more, for all the families staying there.
Additionally, members of the Lexington Minuteman Chapter donated used crayons and wrote heartfelt cards to welcome future residents at RMHC.
Their help was greatly appreciated by the house manager and the residents and every volunteer was glad to have helped improve the quality of today for numerous families.
The Chapter is planning more events in the future to continuously support RMHC.
Written by Carter He
Student Corps 