Each year, Grayslake Central High School sets aside two days for students to step beyond the classroom and into their community through its annual Days of Service event. Held Jan. 7–8 this year, the initiative gives students opportunities to volunteer locally or create gifts for those in need.

Mrs. Dianna Repp, the Student Life Coordinator at Grayslake Central, is eager to host this event every year. Student excitement and engagement is also high, due to the many volunteer options and opportunities available.

This year, the field trip activities include either going to a local retirement home to serve the elderly, or one of the local elementary schools, Woodview Elementary School and Sapling School, to read to children.

Those who didn’t choose to participate in a field trip option were still included in dedicated service days. Activities were run in the Annex, including making suncatchers for retirement homes, fleece scarves for homeless shelters, bracelets for Luri Children’s Hospital, self-care kits for the CYN Counseling Office, Valentine’s Day letters for veterans, and door hangers for staff members.

The main purpose is to ensure that 100% of the student body gets a chance to do service work and to inspire service work beyond the two provided days.

This year, a total of 186 students visited Alto Living Retirement Home, Sapling School, or Woodview. According to Repp, many more students signed up for the field trips than buseswere able to accommodate, which Repp said “gives us great room for growth as we plan for next year.”

This years Days of Service produced a total of 1,343 completed service projects, according to Repp.