Lookin' Good CBCA!

To get in the spirit of service, a school-wide door decorating contest was held in March! Each grade was tasked with making their door well, look good! Some doors went with the theme "Eyes to See, Feet to Walk, Hands to Serve." Others highlighted the place the kids are headed to for the Serve-a-thon event. All the doors look spectacular, but this year's winner was Mrs. M.'s 4th Grade class ... if you ask the 3rd graders, it just looks like a real pig pen!

Have you seen your kids' door yet? Take a peek!

EYES TO SEE, FEET TO WALK, HANDS TO SERVE

CBCA's 5th Annual Serve-A-Thon!

WHAT IS A SERVE-A-THON?  I've never heard of it!

Don't worry, I never had either!  Similar to the well-known Walk-a-thons, Rock-a-thons and The Dance Mara"THON", a Serve-a-thon is a fundraising venture where participants obtain "sponsors" to support them in their efforts to raise money for a worthwhile cause.  In this case, the cause is the ongoing ministry of Calvary Baptist Christian Academy, in Meadville, PA.  Instead of walking or dancing, participants will spend the entire day serving various community groups.

WHO SERVES?

Everybody!  Each and every student, from Pre-K through 12th grade, the entire staff, and lots of parents are involved.

SERVE WHERE?

Well, there are lots of places!  Take a Look!

• Wesbury Retirement Community  
• Juniper Village
• Crawford County Care Center  
• Hillside Home 
• Cambridge Springs Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 
• Hog Heaven Animal Rescue  
• Meadville Community Soup Kitchen 
• Edinboro Camp
• Slippery Rock Baptist Camp
• Miracle Mountain Ranch
• Stainbrook Park
• Hospice House
• Red Cross 
• Erie City Mission     

SERVE HOW?

Well, lots of ways.  

The kids will be singing for, making crafts with, and enjoying refreshments with the elderly.  They mix and mingle with the older generations, listen to stories about the "old days"  and bring smiles to lots of faces.

They'll pick up sticks, rake leaves, remove 'waste' to put it delicately, and do minor landscaping and repairs at the various camps, rescues and parks they visit.

They'll prepare and serve food to the needy and see first-hand the real struggles of those in our own community.  

They'll prepare emergency packages for the Red Cross, encouraging posters for the rehab patients, and so much more!

SERVE WHY?

Why not?  In my mind, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved.  We can say that the serve-a-thon is for fundraising, but it is soooo much more.  I have chaperoned for 2 years and will never forget the joy on the faces of the elderly nursing home residents as the kids sang their hearts out.  Even more memorable is the melting away of the trepidation of a young boy as he works on a craft with an elder, somehow realizing they are more alike than different.  Then, there is the end-of-day report by each grade.  It is touching to see the veil lifted for a group of 12 year olds, as each year, the current sixth grade class visits the soup kitchen and for the first time those children realize that there are people in their own small town who are going hungry.  Finally, the amazing experience had by the boys headed to the Erie City Mission.  The empathy and humanity seen in these young men and what they have both learned and taught are priceless.

HOW CAN I SERVE TOO?

Just check out the information to your left.  It will tell you how to contact us and where to send your tax deductible contribution.  Thanks for your support!