On Friday, October 24, Timothy Christian high school students stepped out of the classroom and into our community for the first annual High School Service Day. This special day is designed to help students live out the heart of Christ through hands-on service, teamwork, and compassion. In addition to our high schoolers serving at a variety of local sites, our entire school from K4 through twelfth grade also joined together in the mission to bless families in need through our annual Stuff the Truck food drive.
Together, these efforts created a powerful reminder of what it means to serve God and love our neighbors.
High School Service Day: Serving Across Our Community
Students in grades 9 through 12 spent the day partnering with local organizations and ministries. Each grade traveled to different service sites where they assisted staff, encouraged others, and participated in meaningful work that supports our broader community.
9th Grade: Cedar Oaks and R-Hub
Our ninth graders split into two teams. At Cedar Oaks, students spent the day supporting staff in the memory care unit and assisting recreation aides with activities for elderly residents. Another group traveled to R-Hub Farm, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving adults and at-risk youth struggling with addiction. They worked alongside staff on various projects around the farm.
10th Grade: Bright Beginnings and Parker Health
The sophomores also served at two locations. Some helped at Bright Beginnings (learning center for special education students) with the on-site petting zoo in the morning and later read to children and participated in classroom crafts. Others served at Parker Health Nursing, where they created holiday cards and spent time engaging with elderly and cognitively impaired adults.
11th Grade: Riverside Park Cleanup
The junior class worked with Piscataway Parks and Recreation at Riverside Park. Students participated in outdoor cleanup efforts and assisted park staff by improving shared community spaces.
12th Grade: Columbus Park Cleanup
Our seniors also partnered with Piscataway Parks and Recreation, serving at Columbus Park. They spent the day beautifying the park grounds and helping staff with cleanup projects.
Throughout the day, students demonstrated excellent teamwork and a servant’s heart. Whether they were encouraging young children, supporting seniors, or caring for our environment, each group represented Timothy Christian School with kindness and gratitude.
Stuff the Truck: Blessing Families Through Giving
The entire TCS community joined together for our school wide Stuff the Truck food drive. This event supports My Neighbor’s Pantry, a ministry of Zarephath Christian Church that provides food to families in need throughout Somerset County.
Students from K4 – 12th grade brought in canned goods and nonperishable items to help fill the truck from floor to ceiling. Common donation items included cereal, pasta, sauce, canned vegetables and fruit, beans, rice, peanut butter, sun butter, and tuna. We encouraged each class to bring donations and on Friday morning students helped load the truck with everything collected.
We are especially proud of our high schoolers who began collecting items during their Spirit Week celebrations. Their totals were inspiring:
- Freshmen: 169 items
- Sophomores: 253 items
- Juniors: 280 items
- Seniors: 1,375 items
The generosity of our students and families reflects the heart of TCS. When we give from what God has blessed us with, we teach our children the joy of sharing with grateful hearts.
A School United in Service
High School Service Day and Stuff the Truck remind us that serving others is not something we do occasionally. It is a way of life rooted in the Gospel and at the core of our mission as a school.
We are grateful for our staff, chaperones, students, and families who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make this month a blessing to so many in our community. May God continue to use these experiences to shape the hearts of our young people and strengthen their desire to serve Him by serving others.
