July 11: IntenCity Summer Service

For most school-age children, summer is a time of rest and rejuvenation.  For 31 middle school students from Indianapolis, the summer months also included volunteering at the IntenCity Summer Service Camp.  Established by Tyler Mayer, the student life director at Bishop Chatard High School, this camp consists of four days of service at various charitable organizations like soup kitchens and centers for those with special needs.

“There are a lot of students who have time in the summer, and we thought it would be a good way for them to be productive and learn a little more about life,” Mayer told Alison Graham of the Indianapolis archdiocesan newspaper, The Criterion.  “One of my favorite parts is seeing the junior high students getting to learn from those they are serving.”

“It was cool meeting people with special needs,” volunteer Sarah Herman declared regarding her work at A Caring Place, an adult daycare center.  “I hope we’re being role models and showing people it’s not hard to make a difference. The people we helped will be glad the next generation is so caring.”

Who needs care and compassion in your area?

Who gives to the poor will lack nothing. 

(Proverbs 28:27)

Jesus, may we never undervalue the importance of giving.