Berks Career & Technology Center’s NTHS chapter in Oley, PA has demonstrated what it truly means to serve others by turning compassion, teamwork, and leadership into meaningful community impact throughout the school year. Through a wide variety of service initiatives, chapter members consistently stepped up to support individuals and families in need while creating opportunities for students to grow as leaders and active members of their community.
Under the guidance of advisor Heather Wargo, the chapter made service a year-long priority by encouraging every member to participate in at least one NTHS activity and by committing to completing at least one community service project each month. This intentional focus on consistent involvement allowed students to connect directly with community needs and become active participants in creating positive change.
One of the chapter’s most impactful service efforts involved preparing and serving lunch at Opportunity House for individuals experiencing homelessness. Through this project, students worked directly with members of the community while learning the importance of dignity, compassion, and service to others.
The chapter also supported local families during the holiday season through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Members selected tags, purchased gifts, and helped organize donations to ensure children and families in need could experience joy and support during the holidays.
Another standout initiative was the chapter’s NTHS shoe drive, which resulted in the collection of 1,300 pairs of shoes for donation. Through planning, organizing, and promoting the drive, students demonstrated outstanding teamwork and commitment while making a tangible impact on communities in need.
Additional service activities included fundraising through chili sales to support Blankets of Hope, collecting 60 stuffed animals for a local children’s hospital, volunteering with Dream League to support inclusive recreation opportunities, and participating in the Night to Shine event celebrating individuals with special needs. These projects gave students the opportunity to work directly with community organizations while developing empathy, responsibility, and leadership skills.
What made these initiatives especially meaningful was the level of student ownership involved throughout the process. Members helped organize projects, sort donations, promote events, and coordinate logistics, while officers guided planning and encouraged students to take leadership roles within each activity. The result was a chapter culture where service became more than simply volunteering. It became an opportunity for students to actively lead and make a difference.
The impact of the chapter’s service efforts was felt throughout the community. Families received support during the holidays, children received comfort items, individuals experiencing homelessness received meals, and countless community members benefited from the chapter’s outreach and generosity. At the same time, students gained valuable experience in teamwork, communication, leadership, and civic responsibility.
Berks Career & Technology Center’s NTHS chapter is an outstanding example of how chapters can take service activities and turn them into meaningful experiences that strengthen both students and their communities. Chapters across the country are encouraged to explore creative ways to serve their communities and to share those success stories through the Chapter Highlights Form so we can continue celebrating the incredible work happening in NTHS chapters nationwide.
