Students from the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center volunteered to work the Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, KY, and assisted at the Floyd County Animal Shelter and the Shop with a Cop 5K Race during the week of April 15-22 as part of Global Youth Services Day.

Established in 1988, GYSD celebrates and mobilizes the millions of young people who improve their communities through service. GYSD is the largest service event in the world and the only one dedicated to the contributions that children and youth make 365 days of the year.

At the Hillbilly Days event, Perkins students provided event security, safety patrols and parking assistance for the City of Pikeville, and provided round-the-clock security for the Hilton Garden Inn. Hillbilly Days is one of the biggest festivals in the country, with all proceeds from the event going to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, OH.

Students also assisted the Floyd County Animal Shelter, with some repairs, cleaning out cages and walking the animals. Perkins students visit the shelter weekly to walk dogs and give the animals the human touch and love they desperately need.

Perkins students also provided assistance to the Prestonsburg Police Department’s Shop with a Cop 5K Race over the weekend. All proceeds from the race go to the police department’s program in December in which community children in need are able to shop with the police officers at Walmart for presents, coats and candy.