"If you continually give, you will continually have," declared Patricia Salvatini, a preservice teacher and member of the Elmhurst College (Ill.) ASCD Student Chapter.
And now, after organizing several community service projects, including a supply drive for needy schools and a pull-tab collection for a local Ronald McDonald House, she and other chapter members were ready to share some of the secrets of their success.
"Start with small projects," advised Salvatini, "and stay local so students can see the direct results of their efforts." Connect students with ongoing projects, such as cleaning up roadside areas and collecting items for recycling, she said. Or ask students to create items such as colorful placemats and tissue roses, and then use the artwork to help decorate retirement homes in the community.
Whatever the project, involve students in community service early in their schooling, urged Salvatini. Helping others becomes a lifelong habit, she observed, when students see "how much their service means to people."