Casady YAC contacted Casady students, Mercy School, Heritage Hall High School, Crossing Church and the Jewish Federation Youth Group to volunteer together as ONE HEART, ONE BEAT, ONE MISSION...SERVE. September 11 was named National Volunteer Day by President Obama and YAC knew that Casady students due to sports commitments and ACT would not be able to volunteer in great numbers. Still YAC wanted to bring as many people as possible to the Regional Food Bank since they had given that day to us as priority.
When the YAC group arrived to the Food Bank, we were surprised to see how many people from the Oklahoma City community were volunteering. Christine L. Jasmine, and Mrs. Clay spent the morning at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma volunteering with 40 youth and adults from Crossings Church and 2 members of Mercy School. The rest of the members of Mercy School could not get to the Food Bank in the morning because there was a couple of hours cars lineup around the Food Bank. It was the last day of a food give away grant.
Kenza from Mercy School told Mrs. Clay that Mercy volunteers would be returning in the afternoon after 2:00 p.m. YAC invited Kenza and her son, Ali to join YAC at Septemberfest for lunch and to support the Japan America Society volunteering at Septemberfest. Kenza declined but was glad Casady YAC was returning after 2:00 p.m. to volunteer with the rest of the group from Mercy School.
The Jewish Federation youth group did not volunteer on September 11th because of their observance of the Sabath, but were planning to volunteer on Sunday at another venue. YAC heard that there were Heritage Hall students among the Crossings group. YAC also volunteered with groups from UCO and other volunteers from the Oklahoma City Community. Jasmine stated, "It is so cool how many people are here today...Volunteering today was so much fun...People missed out on a great opportunity to give, have fun, and build relationships."
In the morning, the diverse Casady group packed 240 cases of food which will feed 3,969 kids with the Food-4-Kids Program. In the afternoon, with the helped of Mercy School volunteers, YAC member Nicole, and Casady student, Lexi, as well as the Oklahoma City Mosque members, and Oklahoma City community volunteers, Casady YAC helped pack a triple number of meals. YAC learned about Muslim prayers and Christine stated, "We seemed to be much more efficient in the afternoon." Mrs. Clay stated, "It was rewarding to hear that this was Mercy's first time at the Food Bank. Our simple e-mail welcoming them to volunteer with us helped promote this service opportunity in their commmunity."
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