Christ Church Episcopal School has always prided itself on its students’ devotion to service and engagement in the community, but this past weekend over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, students wowed the community with their presence in Greenville community service projects to beautify and better the community. Specifically, this past weekend, a group of dedicated students participated in the cleanup of a new Cancer Survivors Park in Downtown Greenville that will serve as a peaceful oasis off of the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

The idea for the park was brought up in May of 2013 and has finally come into view for everyone involved. The project’s website shares the hope that the founders have to create an area in Greenville devoted to learning, celebration, healing, and hope. “Living with cancer involves more than batting the disease,” the website reads, “the Cancer Survivors Park is designed to provide hope and inspiration to anyone touched by cancer.”

Students who came on Sunday to help clear the overgrown piece of land near the Swamp Rabbit Trail share the hope that the park will provide peace to anyone affected by the tragedies and hardships of cancer. Junior Interact Club member, Davis Thurmond says that he “cannot believe the progress that has come from just two hours of work on a Sunday afternoon.” He and others agree that a project like this is worth their time and is a really easy way to step back from the fast pace of life and help out with a worthwhile project. Michael Stone agrees, saying he cannot wait to see the final product of the park. Fortunately for him, the park will begin serious construction in May and should be finished by the end of 2015.

Clara Riley says that volunteering to help on this project has inspired her to volunteer and engage herself in the community even more. “I think that it is so awesome how many people came out to help with the new park, but I wish that people were just as interested in other projects as they are in this one.” She suggests that other students find ways to lead service in the community and get involved in powerful programs and projects throughout Greenville and all over the country.

The Cancer Survivors Park cleanup is just one of many service opportunities in the community, and with the resources that Christ Church students have, there is no reason why every student cannot get involved in something meaningful in the community. One can’t help but wonder what could be done if just as much excitement as involvement was as present as it is in the Cancer Survivors Park project.

More information on the Cancer Survivors Park can be found at www.cancersurvivorspark.org, and new service opportunities can be found at www.handsongreenville.org.