Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee announced Sept. 14 that kids throughout the state completed more than 1,200 service hours in the fourth annual Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge. 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 that 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.”
More than 300 rising kindergarteners through rising sixth graders from each grand division devoted a portion of their summer to service in this year’s challenge. To fulfill the challenge requirements, participants were tasked with completing at least one service activity in a minimum of four of the challenge’s eight categories.
Examples of the creative and unique ways kids served include:
- Shopping for birthday gifts for children that lost a military parent
- Making cards of encouragement for Department of Children’s Services workers
- Playing piano for residents at an assisted living center
- Delivering meals and snacks to first responders
- Making care bags for children in foster care
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.
