Hardeman County Students Accept Challenge From First Lady Maria Lee
Tennessee’s First Lady Maria Lee challenged rising kindergarten through sixth grade students to devote a portion of their summer to serving others through her fourth annual Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge. Three Hardeman County students accepted the challenge, which began June 1, 2022, and ran through August 1, 2022.
“From a young age, my parents demonstrated to me the importance of helping others,” said First Lady Maria Lee. “Through this challenge, it is my hope that kids across our state will see firsthand the long-lasting impacts their service can have in their communities and in their own lives.”
To fulfill the challenge, kids completed at least one activity in four of the eight service categories. The Hardeman County students’ service projects included the Bolivar Community Garden, Christian Care Center, Hardeman County Sheriffs Department, Second Saturday Citizens Clean-up, Department of Children’s Services, and supporting children in foster care.
In addition to the three participants from Hardeman County, three students from Fayette County, 32 from Madison County, and 26 from Shelby County also participated in the challenge. In total, more than 300 rising kindergarteners through sixth graders devoted a portion of their summer to service in this year’s challenge and completed more than 1,200 service hours. Since the summer challenge began in 2019, 1,100 kids have participated, serving a total of 4,511 hours in their communities.
“We are inspired and uplifted by the kids from every corner of the state who spend their summer serving their neighbors,” said First Lady Maria Lee. “We’re proud of their continued dedication to make a difference in their communities, and it’s our hope this challenge has instilled in them a lifelong passion for serving others.”
In previous years, top participants were invited to attend a carnival at the Tennessee Residence to celebrate their accomplishments over the summer. However, due to Maria Lee’s recent lymphoma diagnosis, this year’s celebration was postponed and participants were sent a box of goodies to celebrate their accomplishments.
The Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge is part of the First Lady’s continued effort to equip and encourage all Tennesseans to serve their neighbors through her initiative, Tennessee Serves.
Hardeman County offers many opportunities to serve in the community. Check out some of them here.
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