Hamilton Heights freshmen put “SERVE” into action

IDES’ global project packs 14,000 meals for Haiti

Submitted by Hamilton Heights School Corporation

Hamilton Heights High School freshmen are kicking off the new quarter with a powerful, hands-on lesson in service – one of the core pillars of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate and a key component of Indiana’s Employability Skills graduation requirement.

Throughout the quarter, ninth graders are exploring what it means to contribute to their community, learning about local and global service organizations, and discovering how small acts of compassion can create meaningful change.

This month, that learning came to life in a big way. In partnership with the International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES), more than 200 freshmen worked side-by-side to assemble and pack over 14,000 meals for individuals and families facing food insecurity. This year’s meals will be delivered to communities in Haiti, where access to reliable nutrition remains a critical need.

IDES, a Noblesville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973, partners with Christian Churches and Churches of Christ to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Their work spans three focus areas – Disaster Response, Development, and Disciple-Making – and their meal-packing events offer students a tangible way to support underserved populations while learning about global humanitarian efforts.

“For our freshmen, the experience was more than a service project; it was a chance to practice teamwork, empathy, and purpose – skills that will serve them well long after high school,” HHHS Freshman Counselor Lori Watson said. “As one of the first major activities in their SERVE focus, the event set a meaningful tone for the months ahead. We are really proud of these students for stepping up, giving back, and demonstrating what it means to be a Husky who serves.”