nj service festival (nj serv fest)
Deep in the placid heart of Jockey Hollow lied a sequestered festival dedicated to volunteerism and community service. It was none other than the NJ Service Festival. Truth be told, the event itself was very small-scaled. It was from 10:00AM in the morning until 2:00PM in the afternoon. A small group of children arrived around 11 in time for the awards ceremony. Their academic achievements were acknowledged and lauded by the crowd. After that though, they left. The few SIA students that went there weren't expecting to volunteer, but life threw them a surprise. They received salmon colored shirts and were asked to aide in the event. Of course, how could they not oblige? They happily agreed and set to work wherever they were needed.
In the free time that they had, they explored the area. There were four small huts regarding some organizations that helped the community in their own way. One was a business that provided physical and mental therapy for medical patients. However, what made their treatments unique were the application of horses in the treatment. Another business sold therapeutic oils that helped relax and rejuvenate the body. They weren't all businesses, though, since one was representing a food pantry in Morris County.
When lunch came around, the SIA students went over to the tables and coincidentally met other SIA students in different parts of New Jersey. The three they met at the picnic tables were from South Jersey. That group of students spent two hours on the road just to visit the festival. Talk about dedication! It just so happens that those group of students were the runners up in the Nation Competition for Students in Action last year. They managed to raise $30,000 in donations! Once PHHS SIA students heard that, they were very pumped up to try and challenge that. Well, they still have some ways to go. After meeting some of their fellow companions, PHHS SIA sat in the tables and helped create cards for army veterans, writing thank you messages and drawing a cute picture to go along with it.
After lunch, PHHS SIA went back to work. They helped clean up the tables and gathered people around the "DJ tent" to sing Happy Birthday to the Park, for it was its birthday, and enjoy a slice of cake. Pictures were taken, cake was sliced, and music blasted in the air. Even though it was unpopulated, it wasn't short of fun! PHHS SIA joined the others in the cha-cha slide before saying their goodbyes. It wasn't such a bad event after all.
In the free time that they had, they explored the area. There were four small huts regarding some organizations that helped the community in their own way. One was a business that provided physical and mental therapy for medical patients. However, what made their treatments unique were the application of horses in the treatment. Another business sold therapeutic oils that helped relax and rejuvenate the body. They weren't all businesses, though, since one was representing a food pantry in Morris County.
When lunch came around, the SIA students went over to the tables and coincidentally met other SIA students in different parts of New Jersey. The three they met at the picnic tables were from South Jersey. That group of students spent two hours on the road just to visit the festival. Talk about dedication! It just so happens that those group of students were the runners up in the Nation Competition for Students in Action last year. They managed to raise $30,000 in donations! Once PHHS SIA students heard that, they were very pumped up to try and challenge that. Well, they still have some ways to go. After meeting some of their fellow companions, PHHS SIA sat in the tables and helped create cards for army veterans, writing thank you messages and drawing a cute picture to go along with it.
After lunch, PHHS SIA went back to work. They helped clean up the tables and gathered people around the "DJ tent" to sing Happy Birthday to the Park, for it was its birthday, and enjoy a slice of cake. Pictures were taken, cake was sliced, and music blasted in the air. Even though it was unpopulated, it wasn't short of fun! PHHS SIA joined the others in the cha-cha slide before saying their goodbyes. It wasn't such a bad event after all.