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Classes learn value of helping community Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming McLoughlin Middle School students take donated cans of food to CERVS Wednesday as part of a leadership class focusing on service projects for the community. By Meg Landers Ralph Emerson is impressed with his school�s holiday spirit of giving. "It�s cool that people just came and gave cans," said the McLoughlin Middle School eighth-grader as he accompanied his classmates on their walk to CERVS Wednesday to turn in donated cans of food. Their food drive has resulted in hundreds of pounds of food for CERVS (Community Emergency Resources and Vital Services), a nonprofit agency that provides food, shelter, clothing and basic needs for the homeless. Hot beverages What: "Warm Holiday Wishes": free hot chocolate, hot cider, coffee for the homeless and everyone. Where: Alba Park, downtown Medford. When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. Sponsors: McLoughlin seventh- and eighth-graders. Donations accepted. Ralph is one of 140 students in leadership classes at McLoughlin taught by Judy O�Neill. The classes focus on organizing service projects and promotional activities for the school and the community. "Each class gets to do the canned food drive," explained O�Neill, who is in her third year at McLoughlin. Other holiday projects include serving hot beverages to the homeless in Alba Park, taking cards and decorations to a retirement home, reading stories to a second-grade class, hosting a schoolwide basketball hoop-shoot competition, and sponsoring the "giving tree," in which students and staff can pledge a gift for people in need. All projects are organized and arranged by the students, O�Neill said. Eighth-grader Kendra Smith is touched by the gesture of giving to the homeless and hungry. "It makes you feel good," she reflected, "because you�re helping someone else." Kendra, who is taking the elective class for a second year, said it�s an eye-opener as well. "I�ve learned a lot of things you can do," she said, "and I�ve learned about homeless people in Medford." Ralph agrees there is a valuable lesson taught in the leadership class. "We need to work as a team," he said, "to get things done." The purpose of the class might be best summed up by the banner hanging outside the classroom door. "Leadership," it reads: "Inspiring others to excel by the courage of your example." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.