By LORETTA FULTON

The Young Leaders of Abilene looked at the piles and piles of boxes that needed to be flattened for recycling, understanding that was their job for the morning.

And they didn’t complain. They are leaders-in-training and learned from mentors that leaders don’t complain about the job before them. They jump in and get it done, serving as a role model, just like the YLA counselors that taught them.

“This is what I need help with today,” said Chance Loomis, warehouse manager at Global Samaritan Resources, pointing to the stacks of empty boxes.

On July 30 and 31, about 20 youths in the YLA program helped out at Global Samaritan, City Light Community Ministries and Meals on Wheels.

Read Loretta Fulton‘s complete story.

In the top left photo, Chance Loomis gives instructions for crushing boxes, like the pile on the right. Young Leaders of Abilene students helped on July 30 as part of a service project. Photos by Loretta Fulton