Members of the Independence High School wrestling team spent Saturday, October 24, giving back to the community through two service projects that helped local residents with outdoor cleanup and yard maintenance.
A group of wrestlers and coaches volunteered their time and energy to assist residents who needed help maintaining their properties. The projects were coordinated with the assistance of community member Jim Riley, who helped identify residents who could benefit from the team's efforts.
The morning began at an Independence home, where the wrestlers and coaches worked together to remove accumulated debris and garbage from the backyard and surrounding wooded area. Their efforts resulted in enough debris to fill an entire dumpster, making a significant improvement to the property.
After completing the first project, the team traveled to another resident's home to help clear fallen tree branches from her backyard. The wrestlers gathered the branches and moved them to the curb, where they could be collected and disposed of through the city's wood-chipping services.
Throughout the morning, the student-athletes demonstrated teamwork, leadership and a willingness to help others, putting into practice the values they learn as members of the wrestling program.
The service projects also provided an opportunity for the wrestlers to express their appreciation for the Independence community, which supports the team and its student-athletes throughout the season.
For the wrestlers and coaches, the morning was about more than cleaning up yards. It was an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of local residents while strengthening the team's connection to the community.
