Lew-Port Middle School’s Builders Club – a part of the community

by Jacey Diez
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, January 19, 2008

Recently, members of the Lewiston-Porter Middle School Builder’s Club paid a visit to the Community Mission Soup Kitchen in Niagara Falls where they spent the day volunteering to help out the less fortunate. Above, Builders Club girls are busy rolling out the silverware in preparation for lunch. From left are Brittney Kiely, Jacey Diez, Quinn Patton, Summer Chapman, Karalyn Oddy and Shannon Rousseau.

The Lewiston-Porter Middle School Builders Club has always been about building appreciation, character, and a better community. Students from grades 6 to 8 all volunteer around Lewiston and Youngstown. As one of the most popular clubs in school, Builders Club activities are always memorable experiences.

Some of these volunteer opportunities include: Lewiston and Youngstown monthly story hours, serving at the Community Mission Soup Kitchen, selling pizza after school, visiting the Fairchild Manor Nursing Home, the Lake Ontario Beach Sweep at Fort Niagara, the annual Coat Drive, Habitat for Humanity, and many other activities.

The Builders Club, run by Mrs. Tina Oddy, recently visited the Niagara Falls Community Mission Soup Kitchen. “This has been such a wonderful experience,” says eighth grader Brittney Kiely, “I love the feeling you get when you volunteer, you really realize how fortunate we are, and seeing the smiles on people’s faces really makes it all worthwhile.”

As an active member of the Builders Club, Brittney has also written an article about the Youngstown Story Hour. Another eighth grade student, Quinn Patton, recently elected president of the club, has also enjoyed the experiences.

“I really liked volunteering at the Key Bank for Habitat for Humanity during the Lewiston Christmas Walk,” Patton said. “We made gingerbread houses with young children, sang carols, and collected money for needy families. I really hope we made a difference in people’s lives.”

As a proud and involved member, I also feel that Builders Club is a great way to help others in need while still feeling good doing it. I’d like to thank Mrs. Oddy and Mrs. Khatib for putting all of these wonderful events together, and thank you to all of the volunteers who have made these valuable learning experiences possible.