Franklin Students Join Statewide Volunteer Day
The Franklin Middle School Student Council participated in the first Aaron Eilerts Day of Service and Giving on Feb. 24. Eilerts was an eighth grade student at Robert Blue Middle School in Eagle Grove and active in volunteer service. He lost his life in the tornado at Camp Little Sioux on June 11, 2008. To honor Aaron’s life and volunteer work, Governor Chet Culver proclaimed his birthday - Feb. 24 - as a statewide youth-based day of service.
"Countless Iowans’ lives were made better because of Aaron’s understanding of one simple truth: service to family, community and friends is something which links us all,” Culver explained. “Aaron touched so many in his short life, and I believe all Iowans can continue to be inspired by his story and the example of citizenship he always exemplified.”
Franklin student council members spent the day helping at local Hy-Vee and Casey's stores, as well as the Hawkeye Convenience Store. At Casey's and the Hawkeye Convenience store, the students will wash windshields for customers. At the Hy-Vee stores, the students will be help to push carts, and carry groceries and café trays for customers. Franklin staff members also participated.
“The type of outreach we chose to do is similar to the volunteer work that Aaron did and we are very happy to follow his example,” noted Kathy Dvorak, school facilitator.