Sierra Lutheran High School students at Jacks Valley Elementary School.
Sierra Lutheran High School served the community recently as the Carson City Christian school paused instruction for the day to partner with local schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations on a variety of service projects as part of its Spring Service and Fun Day.
With the help of two school buses, three vans, and foot power to reach its various destinations, 150 members of the student body and staff fanned out to serve 11 sites from Mound House to the Gardnerville Ranchos. After the morning service activities concluded, SLHS hosted a barbecue and recreational activities for the students.
“Sierra Lutheran has been extraordinarily blessed by so many over its first 20 years that it’s imperative for us to show our appreciation by giving back in some small way,” said Executive Director Brian Underwood. “Teaching and modeling the value of service is important to us, but at the end of the day it never fails; the giver always gets more.”
Among the many organizations to partner with Sierra Lutheran is Friends in Service Helping. SLHS students and staff partnered with FISH Operations Director Lane Meyer and his team to facilitate four service projects at four different locations.
“Eight to nine girls showed up and busted out removing the old, broken fence,” said FISH Shelter Manager John Fecanin. “After they were finished with the fence, they helped tidy up by raking up leaves and other yard debris. I was thoroughly impressed with those young ladies.”
Meyer, who coordinated the opportunities for SLHS, was a key contributor to the event and spoke to the value of partnering with SLHS to help train-up servant leaders.
“Once again, FISH has benefited from the overwhelming generosity and hard work of the students at Sierra Lutheran High School,” Meyer said. “These amazing young adults assisted with yard work, removing fences, and general organization at multiple of our FISH locations in Carson, Douglas, and Lyon counties. We are honored that Sierra Lutheran continues to partner with FISH on their Service Day.”
Caleb Potts, a senior at SLHS, highlighted the value of combining the service and fellowship aspects of the day.
“The April Falcon Fun Day was a pleasant and relaxed day full of service, connections, and fellowship,” Potts said. “I especially enjoyed the large-scale barbeque provided by the school after students returned from the community service activities they had chosen.”
In addition to FISH, Sierra Lutheran partnered with Austin’s House, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School, Gardnerville Elementary School, Jacks Valley Elementary, Hilltop Community Church, Indian Hills General Improvement District and Grace Christian Academy.
“SLHS does a remarkable job at serving their community,” said Grace Christian Academy Principal Ashley Feathers. “GCA was blessed by having 14 students serve us by reading to our students in grades K-2 and by cleaning up our field and playground. We are grateful for the servant hearts that were displayed today.”
Sierra Lutheran hosts two schoolwide service days a year, one in October and April. Organizations who would like assistance with projects during these periods, or with special events in between, may call SLHS at 775-267-1921 to request support.
