Parrott SERV students display a stack of finished pillows they will donate to sick children who visit Give the Kids the World Village in Orlando. Left to right: Kat Owsley, Matthew Richardson, Killen Harper, Sofia Brantley, and Meade Evans. Submitted photo.

On a Friday afternoon in early February, biology teacher Leslie Lewis’s Parrott Academy classroom is full of sewing machines, irons, and yards of colorful flannel. A group of dedicated high school students learns how to measure, pin, cut, and seam pillows that will be held and hugged by some very special children. As part of the school’s SERV Society outreach trip, 16 APA students will travel to Give the Kids the World Village in Orlando, Florida. And they will take a pile of pillows with them. 

Mrs. Lewis, the Parrott SERV adviser, began the sewing session with a brief video that showed students how a Florida hotel owner developed Give the Kids the World Village. The storybook resort provides accommodations and fun activities for children with life-threatening illnesses who travel to Orlando with the Make a Wish Foundation. Each child who visits receives a special flannel travel pillow for comfort. 

Parrott students will travel to Orlando from Feb. 23 through 28 to work as volunteers at Give the Kids the World Village. “Even though I’m not going this year, I’m committed to helping SERV with its projects,” said Lexi Connolly. Matthew Richardson, who will travel to Florida on the SERV trip, said he decided to go because he wanted perspective. “We are so blessed to be healthy. I want to help those who aren’t,” he noted.  

Several of the school’s teachers helped the youngsters learn basic sewing techniques. Lower school teacher Catherine Norris said she volunteered because “It’s an awesome opportunity to support our school community. We can’t all go on the trip, but we can all contribute to it.”