Burr Oak students bring cheer with ornaments to Thurston Woods
STURGIS — Back around Christmas time, the Burr Oak Community Schools’ workshop students helped out at Thurston Woods in Sturgis.
The design for the helping was for Burr Oak students to help raise awareness for the important role they play in society while also making a difference.
Industrial education instructor Vince Royer spearheaded the campaign, which saw students learn some reasoning for the student community service learning.
“I feel learning empathy and teaching youth how to be socially responsible within their community is an important lesson for all students to learn,” Royer said. “This initiative will be an ongoing part of the industrial technology program offered to students at Burr Oak Schools.”
Custom, authentic ornaments were made by the students to be delivered to Thurston Woods for the holidays. Burr Oak officials said they were very pleased and proud of the efforts from the students.
“It makes me very happy because I get to give people gifts that normally don’t receive gifts or even see anyone during the holiday,” Burr Oak student Maddy Dirschell said.
The industrial technology program at Burr Oak is in its infancy, but is gaining traction among students and their interests. Both Dirschell and Grant Brooks, who also helped out with the ornament projects, are very high on the program.
Each said reaching out to Thurston Woods and showing they cared with building ornaments brought smiles to many faces.
“I handed this gentleman a personal gift on the last hallway of the trip,” Brooks said. “I introduced myself and he graciously accepted and thanked me.”
Brooks then had a conversation with the man, who gave him some advice on life. Brooks said that conversation held valuable thoughts he plans to implement in his life moving forward.
“It really showed me that one small gift can make someone’s whole year and their holiday,” Brooks said. “It gave me a new perspective and I will cherish this memory long after this experience.”
The ornaments made by the students remain at Thurston Woods. Royer said the school hopes to continue the industrial technologies program moving forward.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Burr Oak students bring cheer with ornaments to Thurston Woods
