Safe Passage 2015

         The week before February vacation a group of 10 students and 3 chaperones departed for Guatemala to volunteer at Safe Passage. Safe Passage is a non-profit organization working in Guatemala City to bring hope, education, and opportunity to the children and families living in extreme poverty around the City's garbage dump. Our FHS students came up with a variety of activities and lessons to experience with the children which furthered the close bonds that were made. This is the 6th year FHS has traveled to Safe Passage to volunteer, continuing this powerful and educational tradition.

Falmouth High Schooler Meghan Charest Selected as Maine's Top High School Volunteer of the Year!

Meghan, a junior at Falmouth High School is the second student in a row from FHS to receive the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Meghan started her service in 7th grade by writing a grant proposal and coordinating a community garden in Falmouth to benefit the Falmouth Food Pantry. "I wanted to find a sustainable, effective way to provide healthier foods for the people using the food pantry." Her service did not stop there. She has continued to upkeep and organize volunteers to maintain this flourishing garden which yields about 500 pounds of fresh food per year for those in need. This award comes with a scholarship and a trip to Washington DC where she will attend events with other top youth volunteers from around the nation.

Not only did Meghan receive The Prudential Spirit of Community Award but because she has logged hundreds of service hours, she has achieved the President's Volunteer Service Award. She will receive a singed certificate from President Barack Obama commending her on her tremendous work. 

                                                            (Meghan in the middle)

First Grade Receiving Blanket Project for Partners for World Health

The first graders at FES are learning about children around the world. They decided to add a service component to their unit and partnered with Partners with World Health and their Project 10,000

The goal is to send 10,000 birthing kits to women all over the world so that they can have a healthy delivery and baby. Included in these birthing kits are receiving blankets which the first graders are collecting. They are also doing chores around their house to raise money to buy even more blankets. Elizabeth McLellan the founder of Partners for World Health recently visited the first graders and inspired them to help other children. 

"All of you are going to make a difference to people in Africa, even if you never meet them" McLellan told the Falmouth students. "You're making a big difference in people's lives."

The Forecaster did an article on this event: the link is below

http://www.theforecaster.net/news/print/2015/02/10/falmouth-1st-graders-make-blanket-statement-about/224192

Mississippi Habitat for Humanity Service Trip 2015 

10 students and 2 chaperones flew out to Mississippi in January to the community of Bay St. Louis. Their mission was to weatherize and restore homes after many had been impacted by hurricane Katrina which ripped through this town in 2005. The students worked a 40 hour week to help repair some of the 80% of homes which were destroyed or damaged by Katrina. This is the 7th year FHS has sent a group to Mississippi. Our students offer hope and a reminder to the community that they haven't been forgotten. 

Empty Bowls 3rd grade project 2014

Empty Bowls 3rd grade project 2014

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to raise awareness and fight hunger. A typical empty bowls event is hosted with a small amount of food going into each bowl and donations made are given to a charity of the host’s choice. This bowl of food leaves guest feeling hungry so they can relate to the recipients of their donations. Donations of this event were split between the Maine Truth and Reconciliation Commission to honor Native American culture and the Indian Island Food Pantry to support a food charity.  2015 Project coming soon!