After Hurricane Michael made its way through Thomasville, yards were filled with debris. And not every resident affected could clean up without assistance.

Enter Thomas County Central High School Service Learning Coordinator Lt. Col. Stann McLeod, who was contacted by system personnel and asked if he could round up some student volunteers to aid storm cleanup efforts. His answer was yes and he proceeded to contact potential volunteers for this service learning opportunity.

“I wanted to allow some of our students to experience what comes back to you when you go out and help someone else,” McLeod said.

Participants in the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy were asked to volunteer along with a few student council members. Though it was the school’s fall break, 11 TCCHS students volunteered: Greyson Tuten, Nate Bellamy, Angela Kilgore, Katelin Croft, Lindsey Daniel, Mya Cooney, Langley Wooten, Jada Rhames, Taylor Schipansky, Cade Hebron and Matt Mancil.

Their mission was to assist senior citizens and the disabled who were unable to clean their yards. Student volunteers were able to work as a team and successfully cleaned six yards, each approximately an acre in size.

According to McLeod, the residents aided showed so much gratitude toward the students helping out. One gentleman even offered to pay, but his offer was declined. The students’ only intention was to serve the people.

“‘You don’t know how this blesses my heart,’” McLeod recalls a man with tears in his eyes saying.

McLeod believes students were deeply moved by the experience. Also, the youth volunteers gained insight on what it is like to help meet the needs of their community. Students were rewarded by giving back and even said they would do it again.

Junior Angela Kilgore volunteered because she wanted to help her community and make someone’s day better.

“It changed me by showing that just helping out could make a person feel so good and happy,” Kilgore said.

Sophomore Mya Cooney volunteered because she knew someone really could use the help. The experience has made her become more humble and appreciative.

“We should all be a leader in our own way, but turn around and lift up others,” Cooney said.

Volunteer Nate Bellamy loves to stay busy and enjoys helping those in need. He says this service learning opportunity has helped to change him as a person and he even became friends with the families he met.

“My mentality has changed completely when I spread positivity by helping from my heart,” he said.