Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) sent more than 800 students and faculty members out across the Metroplex on Nov. 16 to serve during the 15th annual PCA Service Project Day.
“Our seventh through twelfth graders and faculty members who were out serving others across our North Texas community today understand that authentic servant leadership takes place as they put aside their needs and focus on the needs of others,” said Dr. Larry Taylor, PCA’s Head of School. “Going beyond the walls of the classroom and reaching out to our neighbors in local communities and even around the world is an opportunity for our students to invest in others and learn through serving.”
The more than 800 students and faculty members served multiple communities in numerous ways. Service projects included:
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- Restocking and displaying donations, putting together Christmas trees at Habitat for Humanity - North Collin County ReStore in McKinney
- Yardwork at multiple Senior Citizens Services residences in Carrollton and Farmers Branch
- Assisting teachers in classrooms and on playgrounds at schools including Roseland Homes Head Start Center, Sunnyview Head Start, Cockrell Hill – Mi Escuelita Preschool and St. Phillip’s School and Community Center, all of Dallas; Mendenhall Elementary School 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 – Calvert Place Men’s Shelter in Dallas
- Cleaning and organizing church offices at Christian Stronghold Baptist Church in Dallas
- Helping set up and organize the new store at Christian Stronghold Baptist Church Restore in Dallas
- Sorting, pairing and boxing shoes at Buckner International (Shoes for Orphan Souls) in Mesquite
- Visiting with residents and playing games with them at Prestonwood Court Assisted Living in Plano
- Sorting clothes and cleaning the store at GraceBridge Food Bank and Community Outreach in Celina
- Volunteering at H.I.S. BridgeBuilders and Bonton Farms 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
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PCA freshman Celeste Lay has participated in seven PCA Service Project Days, and it is a day to which she always looks forward. This year, her advisory group was assigned to Roseland Homes Head Start Center where they read to children, played math games, helped serve lunch, played on the playground and helped the teachers.
“I loved being able to mentor the kids and help the teachers at the school,” Celeste said. “My favorite thing about serving is that you can help others and bond with them, and listen to their story which gives you the chance to grow a friendship.”
Serving others is one of the core values at Prestonwood Christian Academy, and in addition to today’s day of service, PCA’s Upper School also participates in “Minimester” during a week in the spring when students go on mission trips locally, nationally or abroad. These events have created a culture of servant hearts among the student body.
“Fulfilling the Great Commission is certainly a passion of mine, and that fire was ignited while I was a student at PCA,” said Micah Reis, PCA’s Director of Annual Giving and Alumna Class of 2003. “As Christians, we are called to share the gospel, and it’s often easiest to do that by serving people. We are fortunate at PCA to have the opportunity to do that both in our local community and around the world. I enjoyed watching my group of ninth grade girls interact with and serve the children at Roseland Homes Head Start Center today. It’s completely different, but similarly satisfying when I have the opportunity to chaperone a group of Upper School students on our Minimester trip to South Asia in the spring, and we get to serve and share the gospel with people who have never heard it before!”
Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at three campuses: Plano (Pre-Kindergarten 3 through 12th grade), PCA North in Prosper (Pre-Kindergarten 3 through 8th 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. The graduating class of 2017 was offered more than $10 million in scholarships for academics, arts and athletics from universities and other institutions of higher learning.
PCA is currently accepting applications. Interested families are invited to take a campus tour or attend an upcoming School Preview to learn more! Details and registration are available at www.prestonwoodchristian.org/admissions. Families may also call 972.930.4010 to schedule a Thursday tour.