Page 3 - GL MAY 2023

May/June 2023
GRANITELIFE.ONLINE
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Community
DAY OF CARING
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day. And, of course, volunteering requires a lot of energy, so Dom- inoes donated twenty pizzas, and Hannafords donated salads for all of the volunteers so they could recharge after all of their hard work.
Undoubtedly, this event built a sense of pride in the community. The students were able to pick a volunteer activity that was some- thing that interested them. When students have the freedom to se- lect an experience that they want, it can make a world of difference. “This is an opportunity to get the kids as many life opportuni- ties as possible,” Levesque said. “They’re not only building com- munity, but they’re also building
connections.” FHS’s first GUW Youth Day of Caring overall went exceptionally well for the community. “It was amazing to see our student’s willingness to connect with the community,” Levesque continued. “They also showed everyone how the school is also a huge part of this com- munity.” Jamie Walters was also happy about how the day turned out. “It was great seeing the kids so happy while helping out in the community. To see their smiles and how invested they were in their volunteering goals.”
Cary Gladstone, the Area Di- rector of the Merrimack County Region for Granite United Way, said, “ This really gives us hope for the future. You know, Granite United Way has been around for a hundred years, and now we’re
looking at the next hundred years. It’s really showing the kids the importance of volunteering.”
Granite United Way has a statewide goal of 4,000 volun- teers. The hope is to get more schools and communities in- volved so that this can become a schoolwide, statewide experi-
ence.
The hard work and dedica-
tion of the FHS students made a tremendous impact on the com- munity as they embraced their interests and got out to help those in need. Community engage- ment increased as these students built on their connections as they
volunteered. The staff who also participated in GUW Youth Day of Caring made sure to let the kids know that what they did was meaningful. And now, as the staff hears kids asking to return to cer- tain places they volunteered, they know they feel more connected to the community.
Sound Healer, Rev. Linda Goodman, will conduct a Gong Bath on Sunday, May 21, 2023, 1:30pm-3:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Franklin. A Gong Bath is a full-body listening activity that uses a combination of gongs, chimes, and singing bowls to nurture the mind and body. The “bath” is entirely symbolic of the sound waves that surround you, helping to still the mind, bring deep physical relaxation, and reduce anxiety. The session fee is $35.00. Please bring a yoga mat. A limited number of anti-gravity chairs will be available. Preregistration is required (no walk-ins). Space is limited. Please email admin. uucfranklin@gmail.com to register.