GRAND RAPIDS, Mich-
Junior high students from St. Paul the Apostle school in Grand Rapids decided to venture out in their neighborhood and pay it forward today.
About 60 6th, 7th, and 8th graders participated in the second annual Rake & Run event. The students get together for a couple of hours and rake leaves in a local neighborhood, as a good deed giving back to the community and helping out residents. About 40 houses had their leaves raked-up and deposited in an 18 foot donated utility truck filled to capacity.
Last year the students filled about 85 30-gallon bags of leaves, this year that number substantially increased to 135 65-gallon bags. The bags are made of a corn based material that become compost and naturally decompose along with the organic material in it.
The organizer of the event, 7th grader Henry Sommerdyke says “the kids all enjoy the chance to help out the community and wanted to give back on Halloween“, a time when kids typically get treats. 7th grade teacher Dan O’Rouke says “these students are tomorrow’s leaders. I’m not worried about the future with these guys.”