It’s not typical for a dozen teenage boys to voluntarily trek to school at 8 a.m. on a Saturday to do manual labor.

“The fact that they were willing to do that shows a lot about the dedication to the program and dedication to the trade,” said Luke Thompson, teacher of Tahoma High School’s Automotive Technology Training program.

Students from Tahoma’s auto program and SkillsUSA auto club provided low-income Maple Valley families with free oil changes in December and plan to continue servicing vehicles of families in need this month, as well as three months later when the vehicles should be serviced again.

“It’s kind of an ongoing project,” said Thompson, in his first year as the club’s teacher. “As new clients come on from Vine Maple Place we are able to take them in and do the service that’s needed.”

The voluntary SkillsUSA auto club is a national organization for vocational classes. The oil change offering was the club’s first ever service project directly related to what is being taught in the program. Thompson said there are about 20 students in the club, 12 of whom are participating in the project. The club serviced eight vehicles in December, with most lasting 30-45 minutes, he said.

An oil change is a basic level skill for these students, who are being taught the National Automotive Technician’s Education Foundation standards — the nationally recognized certification for automotive technician programs. Thompson said students are working toward accreditation, which would vault the club up to the same standards as ASE certified technicians.

The comprehensive three-year program for 10th-12th graders covers everything from the intricacies of engines and electrical wiring to the drive line. Thompson said students can earn Automotive Service Excellence student certification upon completion, as well as a variety of other certifications related to the industry. While working with the Vine Maple Place clients, the students work as teams to check the vehicle’s computers, filters and fluids, proper tire inflation and tread.

“It’s a great way for our students to use their skills that they develop in my class to help other people,” Thompson said.

Senior Jake Acker, in his third year with the auto club, said this year’s program explores greater depth into the machines than previously. He said he knows about older cars, but Thompson has taught him about diagnostic testing and “all that new-age stuff.”

“It’s really professional here,” Acker said. “It’s almost like college, really.”

Having the students interact with “customers” in real situations has also been beneficial.

“People that go to shops, they don’t know what is wrong with their car and think (the mechanic) will screw them on a deal or something,” Acker said. “But if you trust them and they trust you, that’s what I really like about it. I can fix something and feel good about it.”

The Maple Valley Rotary Club, which has pledged money for car repair and assistance to Vine Maple Place members in the past, funded the project with a $1,000 donation for supplies.

Vine Maple Place serves 45 families at any given time, according to Michelle Frets, director of Family Services for the nonprofit, with about 80 percent living in the Maple Valley, Black Diamond and Covington area. The organization helped 310 individuals — 213 of whom were children — in 97 families during 2014. A heavy majority of the parents in these families are single women.

Frets said these families often face decisions about whether to buy basic necessities, pay rent or fix the car. The latter most consideration often gets overlooked, which can lead to disastrous results.

“Keeping the cars running is really essential,” Frets said. “Car maintenance is one of the first things that goes when a family is in crisis.”

Frets said the families have been “blown away” by the support from the community and students.

“That these kids are stepping up and wanting to help families makes them feel that their community cares about them,” Frets said. “The families really see this as kindness and people stepping out of what they regularly do to help a family in crisis, because these families are in crisis.”

Thompson estimated that each oil change on the vehicle costs between $25-$30. He hopes to continue the project indefinitely.

“As long as the funding is there we will continue to help these people out,” he said.