NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — First Lady Maria Lee is challenging kids across Tennesseee to spend time giving back over their summer break.
She has kicked off the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge. Between June 1st and August 1st, First Lady Lee is asking elementary students to serve their state and care for their neighbors over the summer.
There are two requirements to complete the challenge. First, students must complete a specific number of items in given service categories, depending on their grade level. Kindergarten through second graders are asked to complete three of the given service categories. Third through sixth grade students are asked to complete five.
Second, students must complete service hours. Those hours are eight for kindergarten through second grade students, and 12 for third through sixth grade students. However, more hours are encouraged because the student with the most hours will be rewarded.
There are eight categories that students can choose from when deciding how to serve the community:
- First Responders (example: make Thank You cards for first responder)
- Neighborhood (example: help a neighbor with yard work)
- Food Insecure (example: bring groceries to a food bank)
- Get Well Soon (example: make cards for children at the hospital)
- Military (example: send a care package)
- Elderly (example: put on a talent show at a senior citizen facility)
- Outdoors (example: start a community garden)
- Family Care (example: take diapers to a pregnancy center)
Parents will need to help their child log their service hours and return the information to the Office of the First Lady by August 9th. An adult must sign off on the service hours for the child.
Students who participate will get a certificate from the First Lady. Those who complete the highest number of service hours will even be invited to a special event at the Tennessee Residence in September.
