Close to 475 students and teachers from Bond County Community Unit 2 High School were scattered throughout the district last Friday for the 14th Annual Give Back Day.
One of the organizers, Jason Pierce, said this year’s event was a big success with students doing a variety of work to assist governmental units, schools, groups and organizations.
Pierce said Give Back Day is a character builder for those involved, and that same day a Pourchot fundraising cookout was held at the Milk House with proceeds for the school’s Character Education Program.
A synopsis of the day was presented by Pierce, who noted the importance of having a Give Back Day shirt for the first time.
Pierce said the day exceeded expectations, highlighting a strong sense of unity created by participants wearing matching shirts. He says the event pushed students to use skills they don’t typically practice in the classroom, while also allowing them to apply strengths they already have.
Pierce told us one of the biggest benefits was the opportunity for teachers to work alongside and connect with students, something echoed by both staff and community members. Looking ahead, organizers hope to expand the event next year by adding a community blood drive and making it a broader community-wide effort.
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Pierce expressed his appreciation to all work site and t-shirt sponsors and everyone who visited the cookout to make it a success.
