The Academy Awards may have capped off the end of award season last week, but Washington Township has one more show to add to the mix.

Students in Washington Township High School’s Students in Action and Changing Our World clubs will come together for the first “Celebration of Service” gala on Tuesday night, the kick-off event for “Washington Township Week,” a seven-day spree of community service.

Starting at 6 p.m. at the TD Bank Arts Center in the high school, the gala will shine a light on students, faculty and community members who constantly make community service a priority in their lives, but who often don’t receive any recognition.

“Personally, I’ve seen so many people my age that have done so much, who aren’t recognized, who don’t get thanked enough for what they do,” said Jessica Levy, the Celebration of Service Gala Coordinator. “Everybody has something else they need to do, but they drop what they’re doing and focus on acts of service.”

The gala is only the first part of Washington Township Week, created by the student organizations as a way to make community service an accessible, easy task that anyone can add into their already hectic lives, said Levy.

“I’m hoping that the younger people and the people who are busy are encouraged to do acts of service … People know about service, and they want to do it but they don’t know how to get started,” Levy said.

That’s why they created twpweek.com, a website that allows community members, students and faculty the chance to pledge their community service goals, sponsor the week, share stories of service and perhaps most importantly, see a calendar of community service events they can jump into themselves, including a blood drive at Kennedy Hospital as well as a “Video Game Olympics of Service” at the high school on Friday.

“We’re giving them all of these ideas for these chances to get involved,” Levy said.

Even if someone can’t make it to one of the listed events, Community Advisor for Students in Action Josh Aronovitch said any little bit helps.

“Even something as small as opening a door for someone or adding kindness or beautify to the world, all service counts no matter how large or small,” said Aronovitch.

One of the easiest ways is to contribute a letter toward Senior Kelsey Powell’s Project Thank You, also featured on twpweek.com, which aims to collect 5,000 letters for service members and military heroes.

Letters — which should be addressed “Dear Hero,” be upbeat and positive and be an attempt at brightening a service member’s day — can be send to projectthankyou2014@gmail.com. Students should sign just their first names and last initial with the high school as a return address, adults can include full name and contact information.

This week and Tuesday’s gala are just the beginning of what Levy hopes will grow into a major Washington Township event for years to come.

“Imagine what it’ll be like a year from now,” Levy said. “This is our stepping stone. There’s more service and encouragement to come.”