ASHEBORO A group of 26 local high school students provided 1,200 hours service and donated a combined 4,828 items of food, books, cards, toiletry and clothing through their community projects in recent months.

They encouraged others to become organ donors, made cards for military heroes and the elderly, collected baby items for young mothers, hosted an alumni baseball game, fed those who had no food, gave a lift to young girls self-esteem, collected sports equipment and craft supplies and raised money for medical expenses.

Members of this group recycled items; collected change; clothed individuals needing clothes and coats; held a singing fest, dinner, bake sale and auction, and helped coordinate 5Ks.

They donated nearly $10,000 to 16 nonprofit agencies.

You learn to give back, said Richard Schoenberger at the recent Student LIFT graduation for these 26 teens at The Exchange in Asheboro. Hes chaired the Student LIFT program for the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce for two years.

He recounted the student contributions and said the Class of 2013 put in more hours than any other LIFT class.

The class was the 17th for the chambers Student Leadership Information for Tomorrow program which involves 26 high school sophomores and juniors from local public and private schools and homeschools throughout Randolph County each school year.

Members of the class shared highlights of their experiences at their graduation.

One of the two class speakers, Amy Bolhuis, a sophomore at Eastern Randolph High School, said, Through this program, I learned that there is so much more to Randolph County than what meets the eye. I personally thought not a whole lot went on here and it was pretty boring.

Now I see that people work very hard in collaboration to make this a nice place to live. Now I see that, without these hardworking people, most of the things that go on here wouldnt. I appreciate our county more. Before government day, I didnt even know we had an animal shelter. This program has thoroughly impressed me with what actually goes on, Amy said.

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Student LIFT grads gave 1,200 hours