As blue Windex drips down the window, junior Abi Lundstrum absorbs the liquid with her paper towel in hopes to make it streak free for Joyce Jaskowski, the first lady she helps on Thursday Oct. 11’s Day of Caring. Morethan 2000 students from 51 schools including the 41 students from West Fargo signed up for Thursday’s first ever statewide Day of Caring event.
“I think it is fun to get to see how everyone gets to help out in the community and just kind of come together and put forth the effort,” Lundstrom said. “I just feel really good helping people and giving back.”
Across the hall from Jaskowski’s room in the Heritage Commons building on 14th Avenue East in West Fargo is senior citizen
Elizabeth Shelstad who was also receiving help from students.
Shelstad provided cookies and Diet Cherry Coke for the house full of kids that seemed to gradually crowd in her room for the snacks once they were done
with their own assigned homes.
“I like it [Day of Caring] because young people come and visit me and I don’t have a lot of family close,” Shelstad said.
As the students were hanging the curtains Shelstad started tearing looking at senior Maren Thompson, saying that she reminded her of her granddaughter that lives out of town.
“I am going to cry here soon because she looks so much like her,” Shelstad said. “This really means a lot because I really like
young people and I am just glad they are here.”
The students said this was a motivational event that is very beneficial and they would keep participating in.
“It gets us involved with the elder community and it gives us a chance to bond with them,” senior Greg Smith said. “I think it is very important to give back to your
community, we can just never give enough.”