New service project provides students with chance to give back
As students get accustomed to changes that come with the new year, they have the opportunity to join new clubs as well. Resource Officer Zach Anderson is starting The Compassion Project this year in hopes that students will join and give back to their community.
The Compassion Project is a new community service group instilled by Anderson and is open to all students interested in joining.
“The Compassion Project was an idea I had when I came here from Tupelo. In the city of Tupelo, I was able to work with a lot of different kids and help their families out,” Anderson said. “So, I kind of brought that idea here. What I realized was I can’t do it by myself. I can make a difference by myself, but it’s easier with a group of people.”
Anderson values a more personal form of outreach, which is why he wants the students involved with the Compassion Project to choose and help someone that is struggling in the community.
“What I want to do is bring us together, put our heads together and pick somebody once a month, and say we can do this for so-and-so,” Anderson said. “Whether that be bring them some food, wash their car or just drop off cupcakes. Just make somebody happy.”
The Compassion Project will be working off of donations from student members, members of the community or families, but the donations aren’t necessarily monetary.
“Sometimes the best thing you can give is your time,” Anderson said. “Think about some shut in, some elderly person who doesn’t have anyone to talk to. How huge is it if you just go spend an evening and talk to them, whether it's playing checkers or cards or something like that, and those things are easy to do.”
The project will work to help better the Oxford Community one step at a time according to Anderson.
“I can’t fix the world's problems, but I can fix small little problems,” Anderson said. “I mean if supper was made for a working mom, a grandma, or something like that, that’s huge.”
Anderson wants to give back to the community and spread compassion in our school through this project, and he believes that it will truly benefit everyone in the community, especially the students involved.
“It's like Christmas. It’s good to receive a gift, but if you have ever bought somebody something, you’re super excited to see them open it. And, that’s because you put effort in someone else’s life,” Anderson said. “And there is no satisfaction like giving. There’s nothing better, so I think it would be a good opportunity for kids to learn that satisfaction.”
While Anderson understands that there needs to be an authority figure in charge of the group, he really wants the students to take charge.
“I understand that you [have] got to have someone overseeing it, and I am willing to do that, but I would love to see a student say ‘let’s do this, let’s do that,’ and I can maybe guide them in the right direction and help them, but it’s better as a group,” Anderson said.
The Compassion Project will meet the first Monday of every month, starting in September, to plan their project for each month.
“I know Officer Anderson’s heart, and he truly cares about the kids, about doing things the right way, about people treating each other the right way and not just assuming but listening,” Principal Chandler Gray said. “Knowing him and what his goal is with kids and trying to make this world a better place - make this school a better place -it’s exciting to know that he is being a part of leading a group of kids to think about others first.”