We can learn a lot from the ninth-grade student council at River City Early College High School who recognized a community need and organized a fundraising effort to help.

The Vicksburg Police Department and Warren County Sheriff’s Office both have K-9 units, a specialized group that uses service dogs to perform general duties. Until the ninth-grade student council stepped in to help, officers and deputies have historically been provided with bulletproof vests while the dogs have gone unprotected.

Many times, the service dog will put itself in harm’s way to protect an officer in danger, and wearing a bulletproof vest can be the difference between life and death. 

The students decided the dogs should be protected too and set out on a fundraising effort to raise $4,000 to purchase a vest for the four dogs that serve the city and county. According to River City teacher and sponsor for the ninth-grade student council Kayla Sorrels, the students organized a raffle and the fundraising effort largely on their own.

The students’ hard work in fundraising resulted in meeting their goal, and in turn, gave them real-life experience on how important it is to give back to one’s community, and the impact one can have on it.

“This makes me feel like I can do something in the world. I know a lot of things are out of my control, but knowing I could help these dogs makes it a lot better,” River City student Mary Claire Lovins said.

Thanks to those who serve on the ninth-grade student council at River City Early College High School, the four service dogs, Thor, Cezar, Sassy and Heidi, now have bulletproof vests to wear while on duty.

Many people think they can’t make a positive change in our community. Think about how much better Vicksburg and Warren County could be if everyone stepped up to the plate and tried to meet just one of the community’s needs.

We appreciate those who serve on the ninth-grade student council at River City Early College for setting a good example for us all, and their sponsor Kayla Sorrels for supporting them in their efforts.