Children at Southside Baptist Church’s Camp Sonshine are learning a valuable lesson this summer – to serve others.

This is the first year the camp has established its own summer mission project, camp coordinator Nancy Philyaw said.

This week the camp-goers are taking turns selling lemonade for donations at the church.

“The lemonade sales will go to benefit Meredith’s Miracles,” she said.

Next week, the camp goers will collect toiletry items for the Opportunity House and then will wrap up the mission project by collecting Kleenex for the nursing homes.

“We are trying to help the children understand how others need help,” Philyaw said. “This is a new thing we dreamed up. They are learning about how Jesus loves others, and we are teaching them to help others.”

And the message seems to be getting through to the children.

“We are doing this to help other people,” camp attendee Rebecca Simon said. “I like helping people.”

Attendee Ella Jordan agreed.

“We need to help those who are poor or in need,” she said. “They need food, and we need to serve others.”

For more information or to help the Camp Sonshine mission project call 222-4300.