Turning a good deed into a tradition.
That’s what Temple High School Wildcat Band leaders did when they helped serve lunch at Feed My Sheep in July.
More than a dozen leaders in the 2017-2018 band helped pack lunches, and hand them out to families in need, many who rely on Feed My Sheep for their only meal of the day.
Junior Joseph Loeffler said, “It’s a good bonding experience and it shows us what’s really going on in our community and how we can help.”
It’s the second straight year for the band’s leaders to serve at Feed My Sheep, set up by board member Jennifer Essary who also works with horn players in the Wildcat Band.
“It really gives these students a sense of helping those in need in our community. It’s so much bigger than just our band,” she said.
However, they almost didn’t make a return trip to Feed My Sheep this year. With new band director Alan Guckian just getting to know the students, Essary thought they might be too busy this summer.
“Service is a big part of good leadership qualities, and [the students] asked to come this year and give back again,” Essary said.One of the students who asked is senior Fisher Dungan. “This allows us to interface with our community, and it’s a bonding experience for all of us.”
And, as is often the case in these situations, those serving may have taken more away than those receiving.
“It’s great to help our community because they help us and support us at the games and at our competitions,” junior Jakayla Hollie said. “It’s good for us to be here, and bond together and [bond] with our new band director.”
Welcoming in their new leader, helping the community, and beginning a new Temple Wildcat Band tradition.