Dottie Cornatzer teaches Occupational Course of Study (OCS) with the Exceptional Child program at East Forsyth High School (EFHS). She is a firm believer in community service and paying it forward, a philosophy she passes on to her students.
“Years ago, when I was a single mom and we were very poor, I needed help for my children during the holidays. We were able to reach out and get help through the Salvation Army and different organizations. Once I graduated from college and became a teacher I wanted to give back. I wanted my students to see what a difference they could make in their community. I wanted them to learn to pay it forward.”
Cornatzer has made good on her vow and leads her students in frequent community service activities. Recently, two groups of Cornatzer’s students have made an enormous impact on the community.
The Leo Club
On Sunday, December 14, the Leo Club (a junior affiliate of the Kernersville Lions Club) partnered with Outwest Steakhouse & Saddleroom to serve a hot meal at the Bethesda Center homeless shelter. The Leo Club is a volunteer service learning group at East Forsyth High School.
“The Leo Club is an international organization,” stated Cornatzer. “This is something that is far and wide and we, as members, try to make as big an impact on the community as possible. You know the saying by Ghandi, ‘Be the things you want to see in the world’? That’s the kind of people you see involved with the Leo Club.”
The club worked with Morris Chapel United Methodist Church in Walkertown to help coordinate the meal. Morris Chapel has a ministry that provides meals at the Bethesda Center. Caitlin Smith, Leo Club president and junior at EFHS, made the initial contact with Outwest Steakhouse and asked if they would donate the food. Morris Chapel then picked up the food and delivered it to the Bethesda Center, where 21 students and adults helped to serve a hot meal of beef tips, gravy, mashed potatoes, steamed green beans and carrots and mushrooms.
“I won’t say anyone actually cried,” confided Cornatzer, “but I saw a lot of people who were emotionally moved when they saw the food. They’re used to getting much simpler fare.”
Cornatzer said desserts were provided as part of the meal, too. The treats were donated by people in the community. A student named Victoria Rivera was instrumental in getting volunteers from outside of the club to bake desserts such as pumpkin bread, cupcakes, and brownies. In the end, there was enough food to provide not just an evening meal, but breakfast for the homeless as well.
“It is like the parable of the fish and the bread,” said Cornatzer. “The food just never ran out. The homeless ate, the staff ate, the volunteers ate, and it never seemed to run out. There was even enough left over for breakfast, so the people had a nice, full belly of warm, good food before hitting the streets again. I’d really love to give a big shout out to Outwest Steakhouse for all they did for these people.”
Students didn’t just feed the homeless, they provided them with warm hats they learned to make in the apparel crafts class at school. Student and Leo Club member Joyce Zhong headed up the effort to get the hats made in time to deliver them on Sunday.
Cornatzer encourages people to donate to the Bethesda Center. She said they don’t need food as much as they need other things, such as cleaning supplies, Clorox, laundry detergent, dish soap, paper towels, and personal hygiene items. Monetary gifts are also always welcome.
“We would love to have people participate as much as they can, if not with us, then with some other community service group such as Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, or whatever they feel comfortable with.”
She said the group’s next project is planned for January 10 at 9 a.m. The Leo Club will be working with Park Ranger Austin Paul at Hanging Rock State Park (weather permitting). They will be helping to clean and refurbish a newly acquired property called Camp Sertoma in Westfield, N.C. Everyone is invited to come and help.
The OCS Salvation
Army Volunteers
In addition to the Leo Club, Cornatzer and her co-teacher, Ashlyn Smith, encourage the students in her OCS classes to give back to the community. To date, the students have accumulated over 530 hours of community service learning hours by volunteering with the Salvation Army. The students go to the Salvation Army distribution center and go through the new toys people have donated for the Christmas Angel program. They sort the toys by age and gender and then fill each child’s Christmas Angel order. The students also help with the Red Stocking and Give a Kid a Coat program.
Christmas is not the only season Cornatzer’s students help the Salvation Army, but it’s a crucial time when the needs are high. She feels it sets the tone for the rest of the year for the students and thinks it helps them gain some perspective on their own lives.
“The Christmas season is where we get our big push so we can have our attitude of gratitude for the rest of the year. I try to teach my kids that life throws so many curveballs, but look how lucky we are. We still have a roof over our head and clothes on our back. It helps the kids to see how blessed they are,” she said.
During the rest of the year, Cornatzer’s students make birdhouses, pottery, and crafts, which they sell. The money they raise goes to help them pay for field trips or to buy clothing for job interviews or apprenticeships. Cornatzer explained that in her classroom, there is a clothes closet and a washer and dryer where students can obtain nice clothing for interviews or just wash what they have. She said this service is available every Friday to any student in the school, not just the OCS students.
“Food stamps don’t pay for laundry and personal hygiene items, so we have that here. Whatever the child needs, we try to fill that need,” she noted.
Several of Cornatzer’s students wished to comment on their experiences working with the Salvation Army.
James Cardwell said, “Thank you to Salvation Army for letting us come out and be a part of it.”
Matthew McCarroll added, “I get joy from helping other kids in the community and helping to give them the Christmas spirit.”
Paul Lowe contributed, “It’s fun to go and help children.”
“It’s a group effort,” Cornatzer pointed out. “Even HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) has helped. Everyone has been working together for the common good. I just can’t say enough about what all these kids are doing for our community. Paying it forward, that’s what it’s all about.”
To volunteer or to make a donation to the Bethesda Center Homeless Shelter, visit their website at www.bethesdacenter.org or call (336) 722-9951.
To volunteer or make a donation to the Salvation Army visit their website at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/ or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).
