On May 19 we held our annual all-school Day of Service with over 20 projects for students, faculty, and staff to participate in. Working together, we made a big impact building an entirely new trail in the trail systems, installing a new garden, making more than a dozen blankets for donation, painting three murals for installation, raising more than $800 for Fisherman's Mark through bake and thrift sales, and so much more.
We also had an alumni-led workshop. Alliyah Allen '14 hosted a workshop titled Art and Activism which led participants to define and deepen their understanding of monuments. Turning their attention towards campus, each participant created their own map of Solebury and marked significant places for the community. While sharing their maps they noticed a lot of overlap, often choosing to highlight nature and gathering places that highlight our strong sense of community. They also brainstormed new monuments for Solebury, building upon the existing culture and symbolizing growth. Students left with a deeper understanding of monuments and a powerful sense of the values our community holds dear.
Community Service Director Sarah May shared, “I love this day because it really does feel like carrying on a tradition from our earliest roots. I also just love seeing kids out working together shoveling, painting, weeding, mulching, and creating. There's a true sense of community and community building, which is what this school is so good at and what this day really highlights. Not to mention, it is so impressive to see how much good can be done in a single day when everyone focuses their energies outwardly. I can't believe how much we accomplished in one day this year!”
Here is a list of the organizations our service day helped:
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Doylestown Hospital received no-sew blankets to warm and comfort patients.
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Warm-Up America received knitted blankets for those in need.
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Network of Victims Assistance (NOVA) in Doylestown received restored furniture for sale in their store which underwrites critical services that NOVA provides to our community.
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Operation Gratitude is an organization we worked with for the letter-writing sessions. The letters will be sent to first responders, military families, and nursing home residents.
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Fisherman's Mark received more than $800 from bake and thrift sales.
We're looking forward to more all-school Service Days and many other service projects in the future. If you'd like to get involved in Solebury's Service Society, or community service efforts in general, contact smay@volamdolong.com.