Claremore Students Spend Summer Vacation Helping Others

Dan Bewley, News On 6

CLAREMORE, Oklahoma -- A group of Claremore 5th and 6th graders is spending their summer helping those in need. They're from the First United Methodist Church and Wednesday, they volunteered at Claremore's Meals On Wheels.

"We're helping people who are in need and they can't get out and get their own food," Anna Sobol, a volunteer, said.

In all, 70 kids packed into buses, cars, or vans Wednesday to help deliver close to 75 meals.

"I feel that it's the right thing to do and I know God will like it," Dawson Gates said.

The kids are all part of the church's Vacation Bible School. The project takes them out of the classroom and to the front door of Claremore residents who rely on Meals on Wheels for their daily lunch.

Preston Poatten, Volunteer: "Seeing the people's smiles when you give them the food."
Dan Bewley, News On 6: "That's pretty neat, isn't it?"
Preston Poatten, Volunteer: "Uh-huh."

"I'm just learning that if you help people you get a good feeling and God knows that that's pretty good," Madison Wells said.

Wednesday's project is part of weeklong service project for the kids. On Tuesday, they were helping pull weeds and clear debris at a widow's ranch and Thursday, they'll be at a boys ranch performing some minor repairs.

"We hope they'll get two basic messages from this week," Pastor Ray Crawford said.

Pastor Crawford said the work is part of a larger plan: to teach the kids about the importance of giving to the community and teach them the responsibility of a higher calling.

"We think it's important for them to learn to express their faith in ways that make a difference and to learn to care about their neighbors," he said.

The kids said they're having a good time this week, reaching out to help their community.

"I don't mind at all. I think it's, actually, very fun. I just like doing this kind of stuff, I just I don't like the heat very much," Wells said.