Local Teen Volunteers to Clean CHR Property

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Henry Sergeant, a Sanibel resident and senior at Fort Myers High School, is volunteering to help clean a property owned by Community Housing and Resources, a nonprofit organization which provides affordable housing for families and individuals on Sanibel Island.

Henry, who is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, decided to dedicate his summer break to giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of CHR residents. He contacted the organization and offered his services to help with any maintenance or landscaping needs.

“I wanted to do something meaningful and useful with my free time,” Henry said. “I know that CHR does a lot of good work for people who need a safe and comfortable place to live, and I wanted to support their mission and show my appreciation.”

Henry has been working on cleaning the exterior of one of CHR’s properties. He plans to finish his project by the end of July.

Nicole Decker-McHale, the executive director of CHR, praised Henry for his initiative and generosity. “We are so grateful to Henry for his volunteerism and his enthusiasm,” she said. “He has made a noticeable improvement in the appearance and cleanliness of the property, which benefits not only the residents but also the neighborhood and the island as a whole.”

McHale added Henry’s example inspires others to get involved and help CHR fulfill its vision of creating a diverse and inclusive community where everyone has access to quality housing.

Henry’s parents, Stuart and Kate Sergeant, and his maternal grandmother, Ann-Eve McDonald, are very proud of him and his accomplishments. They said Henry has always been a compassionate and hard-working person who cares about others.

“Henry has a big heart and a strong sense of responsibility,” Stuart said. “He is always looking for ways to help people and make the world a better place.”

Kate said Henry’s volunteer work reflects his values and his education. “He is a very bright and curious student who loves learning new things,” she said. “He is also very respectful and appreciative of different cultures and perspectives, which is something that the IB program emphasizes.”

Henry said he hopes his volunteer work will encourage other young people to get involved with CHR or other nonprofit organizations that serve the community. He said he has learned a lot from his experience and he enjoys meeting new people and making new friends.

“It’s been a very rewarding and fun experience,” he said. “I feel like I’m doing something good for myself and for others. I think everyone should try it at least once.”

Henry lives with his parents and two brothers.

For more information about CHR or how to volunteer or donate, visit sanibelchr.