By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Evangel Classical Christian School has a reputation for doing the right thing. Recently, the school’s Beta Club performed a day of service deeds that allowed all students grades six through 12 to participate by doing for others.

Thirty-three students served 14 locations thanks to Martha Earwood, club sponsor, principals Melissa Bell and Pam McKee and a host of other teachers and parents.

Some of the places served were the Shelby Baptist Association, where groceries and clothing were straightened; the Daniel Cason Food Ministry, where they bagged 150 sacks of groceries to be picked up; Oak Mountain Ministries, similar chores; Ashton Gables retirement community, where they did ballroom dancing, swing and waltz, all taught at Evangel —imagine the memories that must have stirred.

They visited the Alzheimer’s ward at Shelby Ridge and treated the ladies at Oaks on Parkwood to manicures. Our own Buck Creek Trail got a helping hand in clearing brush and cleaning restrooms. Ricky Nance, park director, was happy for the extra help.

The Alabaster Library got pine burrs and broken limbs picked up, trashcans cleaned and fences scrubbed. At the former Shelby Academy, a group of students cleaned the concession stand, dugouts, lockers and restrooms in preparation for the soon-to-begin baseball and softball games. Home school students and the Classical students will soon play their games there.

Some individuals were on the receiving end of yard work or housework. Weed cleaning, mowing, trash and debris removal, dusting, sweeping, etc. were the norm for the day.

At the end of their day, the group regathered in a time of celebration and reflection. One young man remarked he always knew someone cleaned toilets but he never dreamed he could do that. Another stated that he had a much greater respect for our clean public parks after this experience.

The love in action brought lots of smiles and a day to remember for both the participants and the folks on the receiving end.

Community columnist Sandra Thames can be reached  by e–mail at bobthames1942@yahoo.com.