The logo for the Great Bend High School Student Council’s second-annual Community Day of Service features hands thrusting upwards, as if volunteering. That is exactly the idea behind the event, said StuCo President Greg Burley.
“We’re trying to get involved,” said GBHS Student Council President Greg Burley, adding they hope to have the entire student body taking part in the day-long event. “It would be a good thing for the community.”
The effort is proposed to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. An estimated 900-plus youth wearing matching T-shirts will fan out and visit city facilities, various non-profit organizations, churches and businesses.
They went to 60 locations last year and are hoping to increase that this year. Burley said they are still seeking work sites, as well as sponsorships to help pay for T-shirts and other costs.
The program benefits all involved, said Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes. The city is one of the key event partners and Hayes is helping organize activities.
“This helps show our community is doing something,” she said. “We do have active youth.”
 The project will help participating entities, build character for the students and provide a chance for students who don’t belong to a club or organization to get involved. This idea could become contagious and could spread to the smaller surrounding schools in the future.
Activities for the day might include planting trees, picking up trash, touching up paint and cleaning parks and other public areas, and working with businesses. The students would be supervised by teachers and administrators.
Some students would rotate to different sites. School transportation and sack lunches would be provided.
“The day provides valuable experience for the kids,” Hayes said.
But, it does more than that, she said. “It helps create relationships” between the students and those they help.
For the city, the youth see what it takes to keep Great Bend running. For the employers, they might find potential employees.
“Education should go farther than just the textbook,” Burley said. This project would get all students involved within the community, give the school a better reputation and will increase the moral inside the school.
Funds are coming from business donations and the Unified School District 428.
The council offered its support of the event as well.
Last year’s service day was marred by cold, wintery weather. In case of weather issues this year, the event will take place Wednesday, April 30.
For more information on how to help, contact StuCo sponsor Andrea Maxwell at GBHS, 620-793-1521. Anyone who wishes to participate can visit usd428.net and click on the Great Bend High School Student Council Community Service Day Project link.