Working to make each house a home, the Focus on Home Teen Board strives to help less fortunate families furnish their houses. The organization has helped over 840 families, built over 2,000 beds and has collected over $3 million in repurposed donations.
Having worked with his family decorating houses, senior Sam Margo had the idea to start the board. Margo reflected on helping one family in particular.
“The family’s mom came home after we finished and she broke down in tears on the couch thanking us and praying and thanking God for helping her,” Margo said. “The kids came into the house and had gifts under the tree because it was Christmas time and they ran around the house screaming.”
Members of the teen board meet monthly throughout the school year to contribute to fundraisers, gather supplies and plan home furnishings.
“This teen board is a community where we can all help those who are in need by moving new furniture into homes and at the end of the day get to reveal it to the families,” sophomore William Herndon said. “It really brightens my day to see how happy it makes them.”
The board gets high school students involved in the community to not only positively impact the lives of others but also themselves.
“Being on this teen board means a lot to me because it has opened my eyes to see what people around me are going through,” junior Ella Herrin said. “It feels really good to be able to help people that truly need it and to see how much simply furnishing their home can make such a difference to them and their families.”
For students like sophomore Canaan Hiersche, being on the board means not only serving the community but also preparing for their futures and pursuing their interests.
“I decided to be on this teen board because I love interior design, and I get to help those who are less fortunate,” Hiersche said. “The people make it so fun, and I love getting to design and furnish houses to make them feel like homes.”
For more information, visit focusonhome.org
