Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) sent more than 800 students and faculty members out across the Metroplex on Nov. 5, to serve during the 13^th annual PCA Service Day.

“PCA Service Day is one of the highlights of our fall as our seventh through twelfth graders and faculty members serve others across our North Texas community,” said Dr. Larry Taylor, PCA Head of School. “When we serve we are honoring what our Lord challenged His disciples to do after He washed their feet. He told them, ‘I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.’ We want our students to understand that the community, and the world, is a classroom opportunity to learn, serve and invest into others.”

The more than 800 students and faculty members served multiple communities in a myriad of ways. Service projects included:

• Organizing, cleaning and stocking shelves at two MetroCrest Servivces locations in Farmers Branch

• Assisting and cheering during a Special Olympics event at USA Bowl in Dallas

• Assisting teachers in classrooms and on playgrounds at schools including Crossover Mi Escuelita Preschool, Good Shepherd Mi Escuelita Preschool, St. Phillips HeadStart Preschool, Cockrell Hill Mi Escuelita and Sunnyview Headstart Preschool all of Dallas, as well as at Mendenhall Elementary in Plano

• Organizing donations and cleaning at Union Gospel Mission Thrift Shop in Irving

• Assisting with preparation of and serving lunch at Union Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter in Dallas

• Cleaning kitchen, preparing and serving lunch at the Dallas Life Foundation in Dallas

• Playing games, doing crafts and visiting with elderly residents at Autumn Leaves and Prestonwood Court in Plano

• Sorting, pairing and boxing shoes at Buckner Shoe Warehouse (Shoes for Orphan Soles) in Mesquite

• Sorting clothes and cleaning the store at Grace Bridge in Celina

• Volunteering at H.I.S. BridgeBuilders in South Dallas

• Sorting and stocking shelves at God’s Food Pantry in Plano

• Sorting and boxing food at North Texas Food Bank in Dallas

• Stocking shelves and putting together food boxes for Thanksgiving at Frisco Family Services in Frisco

• Visiting with residents and making a craft with them at CC Young Memorial Home in Dallas

PCA student, senior Jaevin Reed has participated in four PCA Service Days, and it is a day to which she always looks forward. “Whenever I’m serving someone else, my heart is so happy,” said Reed. “Serving shows me that God is so much bigger and it helps me not be self-centered.”

Serving others is one of the core values at Prestonwood Christian Academy, and in addition to today’s day of service, the Upper School also participates in “Minimester” during a week in the spring when students choose to go on mission trips locally, nationally or abroad. These events have created a culture of servant hearts among the student body. “I think PCA Service Day gives us perspective and good experience in working with people whom you normally don’t see often,” said senior Emily Cassil, whose grandfather was at Prestonwood Court where she was volunteering. “As Christians, we are called to go out into the community to serve. It’s important to live out our faith, which is why PCA takes time out of the school year to learn how to serve.”

Prestonwood Christian Academy has more than 1,600 students enrolled at three campuses: Plano (Pre-Kindergarten 3 through 12^th grade), PCA North in Prosper (Pre-Kindergarten 3 through 5^th grade) and PCAplus Virtual Academy.  The school has been recognized as having one of the strongest Christian education programs in the country providing intentional biblical worldview training and integration. PCA places great value on the growth of students’ spiritual health in addition to their scholastic endeavors and co-curricular activities. In addition to PCA’s spiritual development plan, the school promotes a rigorous Liberal Arts academic program. PCA is currently accepting applications for the 2016-17 school year. Interested families are invited to the PCA Dessert Preview on Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Leadership Center, 6801 W. Park Blvd., Plano 75093.  Online reservations and childcare are required at www.prestonwoodchristian.org/admissions.  Families may also call 972.9304010 to schedule a Thursday tour.