Source: The Observer/Eccentric

Author: Aileen Wingblad

Eighteen Mercy High School students put aside their laptops and books for a few hours last Tuesday and picked up pruning shears, sponges and squeegies to demonstrate what community service means to them.

The group of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors — led by their teacher Lynn Waldsmith — spent the morning freshening up the Dinan Home in Farmngton Hills, an "Angels' Place" group residence for developmentally disabled women. The effort was part of the school's annual Make a Difference Day, held during Mercy's Spirit Week.

"I think this is a really good opportunity to live out the Mercy values, with actual physical work, " said Rachel Wagner, MHS senior.

MHS junior Libby Lee agreed.

"Also, we're bringing freshmen into service, who are just starting at the school and kind of just figuring out what it's all about," Lee said.

While the Dinan Home was extremely clean and orderly before the teens arrived, Angels' Place volunteer coordinator Dawn Bradley managed to find a few chores for them — cleaning windows inside and out, and trimming tree branches and other landscaping chores in the front yard.

"It's really important to us to keep the house in really good shape," said Bradley, noting that a well-kept residence not only adds to the quality of life for the women who live there but also is in the spirit of being a good neighbor.

Freshman Yasmine Ayar — who got window duty — said she really felt like she was "making a difference."

"I think it's really great that Mercy gives us this opportunity to help people," she said. "This is what Spirit Week is all about — and Mercy's spirit is to help others."

Besides the work at the Dinan Home, Mercy students and staff performed community service work at more than a dozen other places, including Another Way Pregnancy Center in Farmington Hills, Forgotten Harvest, Cass Community Social Services and Cadillac Gardens in Detroit, Chaldean Ladies of Charity in Troy, Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor and more.

The time and effort can be put toward the 40 hours of community service required of the students before graduation.

A statement issued by MHS President Cheryl Kreger said, "Last year, everyone's spirits were lifted after serving in so many different ways on this special day. We, as a school, are again looking forward to working for excellent causes with energy, purpose and joyful hearts. We stand for mercy and service and educate women who make a difference."

awingblad@hometownlife.com | 248=390-3976 Twitter:@awingblad