See a Need, Meet the Need
Local Teen Uses Service to Bring Joy
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
American Christian minister John M. Perkins proclaimed, “Godly leadership is not about attaining recognition or glory; it's about serving others.” It’s a rare treasure to find such leadership and servitude in today’s youth; however, Ashland Paul Blazer senior Rachael Fritz embodies the heart of service and loving thy neighbor to glorify God and not self.
Fritz proclaimed, “I love helping others. Service brings me joy!”
For the 2022-2023 school year, Fritz was selected to serve as the Family Resource Youth Services Center (FRYSC) Youth Service Member at Paul Blazer High School. This is a short-term AmeriCorps position which provides an education award upon satisfactory completion of service to the FRYSC Corps and host site. The time commitment for the FRYSC Youth Service Member is 300 total hours which is about 8-10 hours a week. Key responsibilities for the member include but are not limited to understanding the needs of their school and local community, supporting, and maintaining the weekend backpack program, assisting with school and community programs, fundraising, meeting students’ basic needs, recruiting volunteers for projects, and building relationships with FRYSC, community partners and families within our community.
As a Youth Service Member, Fritz had to complete a service project that was special to her. Fritz explained her chosen project, “I decided I would like to make no sew baby blankets for the babies in NICU. My sister had her baby, but unfortunately he was in the hospital for almost a week due to having severe jaundice. While there, I had noticed all the premature babies had blankets over them to keep them in the dark. At first glance, I thought it was super sweet but didn’t think anything of it until I talked to a mom who received a blanket for her baby 18 years ago, and she still cherishes it. It was meaningful service, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to make the blankets.” The blankets will be donated at Two Hearts Pregnancy Center in Ashland, Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville and the Ronald McDonald House in Huntington.
Each no sew baby blanket takes approximately 30 minutes to make. The process involves laying two layers of fabric together and cutting strips around the sides of the fabric. Those strips are then tied together in a balloon knot. Fritz formed a team to help her complete the blankets. Those who participated in the project include: Dalin Eng, Katy Raybourn, Abby Leeper, Dylan Pierce, Caitlyn Pierce, Elizabeth Pierce, and Zoey Melvin. A special blessing was bestowed upon all the blankets that Fritz and her team made. The blankets were anointed and prayed over by Summit Church of the Nazarene where Fritz and many of her friends attend, so that each baby who receives the blanket will feel loved and comforted.
Fritz started with a goal of making 10 baby blankets and has already exceeded that by making 24. She currently has enough materials to make 30 blankets, but she would love to make even more. Fritz is still taking donations and can be contacted by email:
Paul Blazer High School’s Youth Services Center Coordinator, Brittany Brown, praised Fritz, “She is always willing to lend a hand wherever she is needed and is a role model for those around her. In the time I have known Rachael, I have watched her grow in confidence while watching her show unwavering support for those that she serves. Rachael amazes me with how well she balances her commitments to her church, education, volunteer work, and community. Rachael’s servant heart and how well she gets along with others is an inspiration.”
In addition to the blanket project, Fritz is quite active with other service projects. She tutors at Ashland Middle School and serves daily at The Mission with Director Mike Maynard. For completing all her hours of service, Fritz received the Education Award for AmeriCorps. For Fritz, it’s not about the scholarship or recognition; it’s about seeing a need and meeting the need. Whatever path Fritz takes in the future, service will always be a part of her life.
