Gunn Service Day

On Thursday 4 March 2010, 300 Gunn High School students gathered at the Spangenberg Theatre on campus to kick off Gunn Service Day, an annual event organized by Youth Community Service. Before dispersing to 14 various service sites throughout the Bay Area, students loosened up in opening activities and bonded with the group they will spend the rest of the day with through games and laughter. Students filled up on bagels, muffins, and fruit, generously donated by the Palo Alto Rotary Club, and mingled with supportive volunteers from the community, including Rotary Club members and parents. Following a warm and inspiring sendoff from School Principal Noreen Likins, in which the group of young men and women were commended for their dedication and commitment to service and their community, students filled up six big yellow buses and headed to their service sites. Partnering up with organizations like InnVision, Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT), Shelter Network, Ecumenical Hunger Program, and Canopy, students mulched trees, cultivated native plant life, packaged food for families, organized clothing and food closets, and mentored elementary school students among other things. Gunn students expressed that the day was well spent, as they were able to learn beyond their classrooms about the needs of the local community from the people in the community. They not only left the day with new friendships and a sense of pride in what was accomplished but also a greater understanding of issues their community faces. Youth Community Service teamed up with Lisa Hall, Jordan Huizing, Gunn Parents, and the YCS/Interact club on campus to organize Gunn Service Day. A big thank you to all those involved in the process!