Volunteers from NWC help Contempo Court residents

Ellie Squires feels blessed by a recent act of kindness.

Squires needed some sod removed from her yard. “I have a terrible back, and I can’t do any heavy lifting,” said Squires, a resident of Contempo Court Mobile Home Park on the North Side.

And then her prayer was answered. She found a flier attached to her door and noticed that her neighbors did too. The flier read: “If yard work or housework was needed, two hours would be provided free of charge; just fill out the form.”

“This is too good to be true,” Squires thought. “What’s the catch?” But she filled out the form.

Two days later, there was a knock at her door, and a man with a small group of young men said, “Show us what and where.” They were from Northwest Christian School. Students Tate Kelly and Joey Cleveland removed the sod for her. The man with the boys was the school’s Principal Ray Ricks.

“They went at it like pros, and with such enthusiasm and vigor. I had to ask if the boys were being reprimanded for a wrongdoing, but he informed me that this was strictly voluntary and a service they’ve been doing for the past few years to help the seniors who were in need of a helping hand. The boys were neat, well-mannered and respectful. They were very outgoing,” said Squires.

According to Ricks, Northwest Christian teacher Esther Collin took the lead in organizing this year’s service project at Contempo Court. About 20 residents filled out the request forms. A group of 40 students and adults worked in teams of four or five. The boys did most of the outside yard work, while the girls in the class vacuumed, dusted and washed windows.

The seventh- and eighth-graders also provide a program called Mom’s Morning Out. Once or twice a week, they give moms a break by offering baby-sitting and a Sunday school format for young children.

“We would like to do more,” Ricks said. “We want to get out in the community and serve. It also teaches the kids how to work and at the same time how to interact with the older generation.

“Pure and faultless religion is to look out for widows and orphans. There aren’t many orphans in the area, but it gave us an opportunity to help out some widows. Not that they were all widows, but there were probably a fair amount,” said Ricks.

Ricks didn’t want any praise for what the class did.

“I want to keep them humble. From the feedback I got from the students, they really felt good about what they accomplished. Hopefully they’ll make this a lifetime commitment to help others in their neighborhoods and communities,” said Ricks.

Squires wanted the students to be recognized. “It warmed my heart. The kids were absolutely precious. I know they’re going to do great things in the future. They are and will continue to be future gems to our city,” said Squires.