January 22nd, 2021

Community service programs are becoming increasingly popular in private schools across Freenorth. Now, parents have proposed implementing a similar program in state-funded high schools and middle schools, where students must complete ten hours of community service per year to graduate.

“My son sits around on his butt all day. I think it would be good for him to get out and help the community,” says Grace Sanchez, bustling into your office while the teenage boy trudging behind her rolls his eyes. “Not only will it help people in need, it will also give the students a chance to be a part of their community and a proud citizen of Freenorth.”

“Hey, man, we don’t have time to do community service when we spend the whole day on schoolwork and studying,” her son tells you. “Chill out with the long school days and maybe we’ll have more time to contribute to the community on our own.”

The Empress’s cousin, who just stopped by to bring you cookies, pipes in. “I think community service programs are a great idea. Ten hours a year isn’t that much time, but it can change a lot if enough people are doing it. There’s no reason to limit it to students — just think of what we could do for the country if every able-bodied adult had to pitch in too!”

“Are you kidding me!” Llywelyn Annan, CEO of NAT-U-RAL Co., shouts from the window of his limousine. “I don’t have time to go out and pick up trash. I’m doing the world a service by supplying the world with abundant amounts of natural gas! Surely that counts as community service. In fact, these kids could ‘volunteer’ at my plant — if you don’t mind, of course.” He slowly rolls his window up before driving off.

Legislation passed that students must complete ten hours of community service per year to graduate.

Mistress Elise Cantrell Is born to Lord Sebastian and Lady Adele Cantrell at Cantrell Abby.

The Canadian and Quebec governments fail to respond to the raids on Freenorth. Empress Whitney I mobilizes troops and shuts the borders. “Any attempt to cross our borders from Canada or Quebec will result in a military response.”

The Batter Up! Baseball League has begun to grow in popularity and is now seeking government support in establishing teams and stadiums throughout the nation.

“Holy cow, is this gonna be great!” hollers BUBL President and sports nut Rod Looney, waving a fashionable giant foam finger. “Baseball is just what Freenorth needs right now! Think about it: soda, popcorn, hot dogs... oh, and I’m sure the economy will benefit somehow, too! All we need is the government funding to build stadiums and teams, and we’ll be on every TV and in every city in the country!”

“You’re going to spend the taxpayer’s money on WHAT?” counters Minister of Finance Princess Joanna Stone, from a newly furnished office. “I mean, I love playing a good game of baseball every now and then, but does the government really need to go around supporting this? The only people that are going to benefit are a bunch of fat-cat burger vendors and bored hicks with nothing better to do on Sunday afternoon! We need to stop spending so much money on these ridiculous games and get back to what’s really important: running the business of the country.”

Major cities shut down as their local sports team takes to the field every day.