LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Area children were recognized for their volunteerism around the Lubbock community during the 2025-2026 school year at the first Big Heart Bash on Tuesday.
Students from schools across the South Plains took part in one or more of the Volunteer Center of Lubbock’s three main youth programs over the past year.
Emily Smith, executive director of the Volunteer Center of Lubbock, said one of those programs, Youth in Service, brings service to schools and removes the barrier of age.
“We think youth are really an important asset and a lot of times, I think they get overlooked,” Smith said.
Youth in Service students participate in activities including Meals on Wheels bags, bookmarks, encouragement journals and cards for any season.
“What we want to teach them is volunteering can be something very small, and it doesn’t take a lot of time and effort to make a huge difference,” Smith said.
Other programs like Youth for Impact and Lubbock HYPE help students engage with the greater Lubbock community.
Evyn Lewis, a participant in Lubbock HYPE, said the program gives students skills and confidence to impact the community.
“Through community service and community partnership and intentional lessons and lots of goofy games of course, I think all of us have been given an incredible opportunity to learn and grow as people and have a lot of fun while we did it,” Lewis said.
Whitharral, which was awarded the top rural community school, averaged 170 volunteer hours per student. In total, Youth in Service schools contributed nearly 75,000 volunteer hours.
“We work so hard during the school year and we see stories of what they’re doing in their schools and we hear about the impact they’re making, but to be here collectively as a group together, it’s what makes what we do worth what we do,” Smith said.
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