CHS Carpentry Students Craft Cutting Boards For Good Cause

Cookeville High School carpentry students coming together to put their skills toward a good cause.

Teacher Randy Mansell said three students have created cutting boards to be sold at a benefit to raise money for  Jamie Phillips, who has been diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer, and his family. He said

“We’re always looking for something to do to give back to the community,” Mansell said. “And I think that’s a really good lesson for these young men. And once they experience how it feels, they’ll want to continually give back.”

Mansell said after friends reach out about the potential for Cookeville High Students to contribute, he had three volunteer their time and talents. He said each cutting board is handcrafted using Tennesee hardwood and takes about three to four hours to create.

“The big payoff for me is seeing them have that feeling inside and some of these kids have never done something like this,” Mansell said. “It’s the same thing as when we work on a Habitat House. I always want to go on a day that the people who are going to live in the house are there and let the students meet them and let it become a personal experience for them.”

The cutting boards will be auctioned on November 12 at the benefit.