Laura Fairris graduated from El Dorado High School in May, but she's found that she left a legacy behind her.
Fairris was a student of the EAST program, part of the school's career and technical education department, for three years. In that time, she devised a community service project that is now coming to fruition through two of her classmates.
El Dorado's first "Blessing Boxes," which will contain an assortment of food, blankets, clothing, household and school supplies, were set in early October to hit the streets before the end of the year.
"It took a lot of searching online at first, trying to see what kind of projects other EAST programs have done. I chose this one because I've seen people not be able to get the things they need, all over Arkansas, at church camp, and people I know even, so it hit home with me," Fairris said, explaining how the idea for the Blessing Boxes originated. "I thought people could use something like this in the community."
The Blessing Box project is now being carried on by two current EHS students, junior Miranda Risinger and sophomore Christopher Hernandez. Fairris said it's gratifying to see her classmates continuing the project she devised.
"I'm really happy that Miranda is carrying it on, because she liked it, doing the stuff for it, just as much as I did -- maybe even more -- so I'm just happy that she's continuing it," she said.
Originally, Fairris' uncle planned to donate some old lockers to be used as the Blessing Boxes themselves. However, after she graduated, she wasn't sure if the project was going to be completed; so when Miranda and Christopher picked back up where Fairris left off, they realized they would need some other way to store the the Blessing Boxes' goods.
A few weeks after the school year started, Miranda reached out to the News-Times to inquire about some of our old newsstands no longer in use. She wondered if it might be possible for us to remove the locking mechanisms on the newsstands and donate a couple to the cause.
"We always want to give back to the community we serve," said News-Times General Manager Robyn Yarbro. "Any time students are involved in a project about human interests, we are happy to contribute where we can. I hope this idea gains traction and more people will support the efforts of our El Dorado students."
Now, Miranda and Christopher are gathering donations for the Blessing Boxes.
"The plan for right now is to ask some clubs in our school for donations," Miranda said. "We're can put food and other stuff, like blankets and stuff, so people from the community can come and get them."
Christopher said he hopes to eventually establish an avenue for others outside the school to donate items for the Blessing Boxes.
"The Blessing Boxes are... to help the community around us, for the people in need, that need stuff -- that lost their jobs because of COVID (or) that don't have enough money to get the stuff they need," he said.
The EAST program at EHS gives students the opportunity to pursue things that interest them while also giving them a chance to give back to the community. Christopher said that last year, he worked on a data project to do with fishing locally; but this year, he was inspired to work with Miranda on the Blessing Box project instead.
"Last year, Miranda almost got it completed, but the end of the year came and we didn't get to finish it," he said. "I really like helping the people around us and it, like, runs in our family that we help each other and others out, and when Miranda was talking about the project, I wanted to go help her as well."
Miranda said the first Blessing Box was set to be placed at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. In early October, she said they wanted to place it out as soon as possible, before fall really starts to set in.
"The goal is just to help people who can't get this stuff," Miranda said.
