The Lindbergh School District’s “A Heart to Serve, Hands to Help” exceeded its goal of 25,000 hours of community service by nearly 31 percent, according to a district news release.

“A Heart to Serve, Hands to Help” was launched on Patriot Day — Sept. 11 — and challenged staff members, students and parents to collectively contribute a minimum of 25,000 hours of community service. The community-service initiative concluded on Thanksgiving Day as Lindbergh volunteers donated 32,848 hours of their time.

“Lindbergh students have benefited greatly from the district’s commitment to developing the whole student,” Tricia Kirkpatrick, a Lindbergh parent, stated in the release.

While Kirkpatrick admits the project originally felt like “one more ‘to do’ that I wasn’t sure I was up to,” she and her four children, ranging in age from 18 months to 9 years, began volunteering with the Children’s Home Society.

“My kids benefited from the experience as much as the kids at the home. What a fabulous learning experience. I thank the district for enriching our lives with this project,” she stated.

The list of people and organizations served is longer than a first-grader’s Christmas wish list, almost like a “Who’s Who” of charities in the area, according to the news release.

“Giving back” has been described by Superintendent Jim Sandfort as “one of the most rewarding traditions in Lindbergh School District. When needed, every school stepped up in all sorts of ways, going above and beyond for others. With help from our community partner, Gordmans, who sponsored this service project, we provided ‘A Heart to Serve, Hands to Help.’

“Every project was a great project, nothing was too small. We made — and will continue to make — a wonderful difference in the lives of others,” he stated.

The community-service project also featured a “A Night of Patriotic Music” to benefit Backstoppers. The sold-out Nov. 12 concert raised roughly $17,000 through tickets, donations and a matching grant to benefit Backstoppers.