ABINGDON – As president of the student council at E.B. Stanley Middle School, eighth-grader Annie Forrest has a habit of organizing service projects at her school.
"We’ve just been doing different stuff at the school, making cards, letting teachers know we appreciate them," she said.
"We came to school on a Saturday and did some outside work, raking leaves, mulching, throwing stuff away and cleaning up."
It takes a lot of prodding to get Annie to say that much; it’s nearly impossible to make her admit that she organized it all – and other projects besides.
The landscaping work was part of "Make a Difference Day," which she organized through the student council.
She and other students have given out cards and treat bags three times this year – for Halloween, National Education Week and Christmas.
Annie didn’t forget the cafeteria workers or bus drivers in her effort.
"They were so happy that we recognized them," Annie said. "They’re never told ‘thank you’ for what they do."
She helps out regularly with school fundraising events, like holiday sales, concession stands and school carnivals.
Last spring, she helped organize her school’s team for Relay for Life, which raises money for the American Cancer Society.
And this year she organized her school’s Adopt an Angel effort to sponsor a local family at Christmas by providing gifts.
"I try to do my best to help others every single day instead of just one big thing," Annie said.
She credits her parents with instilling the desire to help others.
"My parents really, they kind of want me to help other people, not just be a self-absorbed teenager type of person," Annie said.
"They want me to help others and open as many doors as possible."
