Summer of Service | Louisville middle schoolers spend thousands of hours volunteering | News from WDRB [Video]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A group of Louisville middle schoolers spent more than 2,000 hours volunteering this summer.

While some helped at cemeteries and animal shelters, most helped local homeless people.

“Imagine they’re you,” eight grader Vera Naidu said.

While most kids were at the pool or playing video games this summer, Naidu spent nearly 250 hours volunteering around the community. That’s more than 10 full days.

“It just makes me feel great knowing I’m making a great impact on this person’s day,” Naidu said.

Each year, St. Francis of Assisi challenges its rising eight graders to complete so many service hours that it adds up to their graduation year. Naidu and her classmates’ goal was 2,025 hours.

“It’s not a one-off deal,” Fred Whittaker, a teacher, said. “Our students are asked to do lots of service to the point where they create relationships and friendships.”

These students went above and beyond. In total, the classmates spent 2,155 …