With so much negativity and violence affecting today’s society, it’s always nice and heart-warming when we hear the wonderful things that the younger generation of our community are doing.

For example, many of you may have read the article about I.M.P.A.C.T. 7-5-7 youth groups from different churches coming together to form one organization, attempting to make an impact on the community by hosting a one-day mission. Adolescents coming together and giving back to others is something you don’t hear a lot of these days.

We hope that all of you who participated in I.M.P.A.C.T. 7-5-7 know that you did make an impact on us. The best kind of impact that is.

It’s not every day that teenagers will spend their Saturday doing yard work for someone else.

On a day that you could have been doing almost anything you wanted, you spent it raking leaves, painting fences, putting mulch down and anything else that the resident needed help with. You also paid for other’s laundry and handed out free drinks.

We can assure you, your help was greatly appreciated. You not only made an impact on those you were able to help, you also made an impact on those of us who merely heard of your event and generosity.

This group was started in the hopes of changing the stereotypes that surround today’s youth. After completing two I.M.P.A.C.T 7-5-7 events and having huge successes with each of them, we just wanted to take this time to let those of you who are involved know that you are accomplishing your goal.

You are making an impact on Western Tidewater and we encourage you to continue with your bi-yearly event. We look forward to seeing and reporting the many ways you’ll help the community in the fall.