Volunteers commend teachers

Editor,

We are writing this letter today to commend two of our Saratoga teachers for their recognition of the importance of youth volunteerism in our community.

As you know, Bridge Street Bargains is the Saratoga thrift store managed, staffed and supplied strictly by volunteers and donations. Proceeds from the sales of items at the store directly benefit youth activities in our area. Funds are distributed through a grant program, which, in keeping with the volunteer core of the organization, requires the youth benefitting from the grants to volunteer, in turn, at local non-profits.

The two teachers we wish to commend, Mr. Jack Patrick and Mr. Luke Spiering, recognize the value of this requirement for the young people to volunteer and have encouraged it fully. Currently, the thrift store has several young volunteer helpers earning funds for their major trips to Washington D.C. with the Close-Up program and to the Teton Science School.  Students are encouraged to volunteer, not only here at the thrift store, but also at locations such as the library, chamber of commerce, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Platte Valley Community Center and Deseret Health and Rehab (formerly Valley View).

The encouragement of these teachers does much to foster the spirit of volunteerism in our community, and, additionally, the students having volunteer community service on their records helps greatly when it comes time to apply for college admissions, scholarships and grants and on job applications.

We hope when you run into these teachers at school, on the street or at the post office, you will take a moment to tell them thank you for helping our students to become responsible, engaged adults.

Yours truly,

The Volunteers of Bridge Street Bargains