Barnesville Area News

Barnesville Students Give Back to Community

Students throughout the Barnesville Exempted Village School District participated in a community service day last Monday, helping local businesses and organizations across the village.

High school, middle school and elementary students took part in service projects from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The district has organized the annual project for several years.

Surveys are initially sent to local businesses and organizations to identify where help was needed. Based on the responses, the school coordinated projects and assigned students to appropriate locations.

Nearly all district students participated, including members of service organizations such as National Honor Society, Student Council, Future Farmers of America, Key Club, Interact Club and the athletic programs.

The National Honor Society members spruced up the landscape and organized the children’s area. [Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library Facebook Photos]

“It was a way for our kids to give back and show we are proud of the community we live in, and we appreciate all the support they provide us, year in, year out, good days and bad,” Superintendent Micah Fuchs said. “They’re always there to support us.”

Key Club members worked at the Barnesville Thrift Store, weeding, washing windows and organizing shelves. [Photos provided by Key Club Advisor Corey Powell]
Key Club members pruned and weeded at Barnesville Assumption Church, as well as scrubbed the table and chairs in the fellowship hall. ©Barnesville Area News Company

While high school and middle school students traveled to different locations around the village, elementary students stayed closer to home. Students assisted with projects ranging from cleaning sidewalks to helping businesses with maintenance and other tasks. They dusted shelves at the library, cleaned park areas and spread mulch.

Middle School seventh graders, supervised by Lacy Gallagher, volunteered at the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum. [Photos provided by Lacy Gallagher and Kathy Messenger]

Participating businesses and organizations included:

  • Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library
  • Barnesville Vision Center
  • McDonald’s
  • Belmont Savings Bank
  • Woodsfield Savings Bank
  • Barnesville State Theater
  • Ohio Hills Health Centers
  • Village of Barnesville
  • Kennedy Hardware Company
  • Blue Moon Tavern
  • Barnesville Thrift Store
  • WVU Medicine/ Barnesville Hospital
  • Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Shamrock Stadium
  • Shady Lane Event Center
  • Barnesville Assumption Church

Other businesses and organization including the fire and police departments joined in as students carried out projects around the village.

“It is really good because the kids learn that giving back is important,” Fuchs said, “and if we don’t all work together and help others, the whole system doesn’t necessarily function as it should. I’m really proud of the kids. They handled themselves well in the community.”

Key Club members focused on beautifying the landscape and parking lots at the WVU Barnesville Hospital. [Photos provided by Key Club Advisor Corey Powell]
BMS seventh graders, supervised by Denise Adkins-Leach, spruced up the playground at the Barnesville Memorial Park. [Photo provided by Denise Adkins-Leach]

Fuchs said the idea of the project is to instill the value of service in students, adding they look forward to this day every year.

“It’s an opportunity for them to learn skills that will help them as they become young adults,” he said.

BHS Student Council members cleaned the parking lots and sidewalks on East Main Street, from Skinner Insurance to the “Welcome to Barnesville” sign. [Photo provided by Student Council Advisor Chris Pack]
BHS Varsity football players volunteered at First United Methodist Church, Shamrock Stadium and the Shady Lane Event Center. [Photo provided by Head Football Coach Blake Allen]

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