2nd Community Service Day Benefits Local Organizations
On Saturday, September 26, more than 250 Shore volunteers including students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators came together for United in Service, a partnership with the North Shore United Way that benefited 15 community organizations in Beverly and surrounding areas.
The service day was the second such event this year. In the spring, hundreds of Shore volunteers participated in the first United in Service day, providing valuable assistance to some of the same local organizations who benefited this fall.
(See a gallery of photos from the day. See a complete list of projects and results. Find additional ways to help local organizations.)
(See a gallery of photos from the day. See a complete list of projects and results. Find additional ways to help local organizations.)
“It was a pleasure to find creative ways to get parents and kids of all ages serving together,” said North Shore United Way Project Manager Sarah Bartley. “Kudos for the spirit of service learning that Shore embraces.”
Added Shore parent, event co-organizer, and United Way Board member Bill Eaton, “As someone with experience on both sides of this remarkable partnership, seeing the impact of the service day improving the lives of our neighbors in so many different ways was extraordinarily gratifying.”
This year’s event generated over 750 hours of labor on behalf of a number of new agencies in addition to many of last spring’s beneficiaries. Shore volunteers collected more than 1,400 pounds of donated food for Beverly Bootstraps, Acord Food Pantry and the Open Door; created more than 200 “get-well” cards for Beverly Hospital; prepared 56 meals at Family Promise Shelters; and made many other contributions with Backyard Growers, Community Giving Tree, the Food Project at Long Hill Farm, Northeast Arc, North Shore United Way, Partners in Development, Pathways for Children, Plummer Home, and Windrush Farm. (See the complete list of projects and results.)
This year’s event generated over 750 hours of labor on behalf of a number of new agencies in addition to many of last spring’s beneficiaries. Shore volunteers collected more than 1,400 pounds of donated food for Beverly Bootstraps, Acord Food Pantry and the Open Door; created more than 200 “get-well” cards for Beverly Hospital; prepared 56 meals at Family Promise Shelters; and made many other contributions with Backyard Growers, Community Giving Tree, the Food Project at Long Hill Farm, Northeast Arc, North Shore United Way, Partners in Development, Pathways for Children, Plummer Home, and Windrush Farm. (See the complete list of projects and results.)
Providing raised bed gardens and educational programs in Gloucester, first-time United in Service beneficiary Backyard Growers had Shore families helping prepare plots at O’Maley Middle School for the winter. Just to the north in Ipswich, volunteers for the first time worked with Partners in Development to help sort and pack shipments of vital supplies for severely impoverished families in Haiti. And closer to home in Shore’s own Dining Hall, even the youngest volunteers were able to make a difference for Community Giving Tree, another new beneficiary, by decorating dozens of cheerful blankets for families served by the organization.
Windrush Farm’s Rachel Bernstein had this praise for efforts of volunteers: “Without groups like Shore and the North Shore United Way, we would not be able to keep up with all that needs to be done on our 38-acre farm. The impact they were able to make in just one day amazes me.” Agreed Northeast Arc’s Suzanne Ryan, “We had a wonderful group of volunteers at our third Annual Fall Family Harvest Festival at Endicott Park on Saturday, and we know that all of our families had a great time.”
Said Whitney Savignano, a Shore parent and co-organizer of the September 26 event, “United in Service was a totally new event for Shore last spring, and we were not sure what to expect this fall. The response was tremendous. Shore families were thrilled to be doing meaningful work for local agencies, and the agencies were impressed with the commitment and hard work of the Shore volunteers.”
Fellow co-organizer and Shore parent Nina Wilson explained, “The partnership between Shore, the United Way, and the local agencies is unique in this area, and the fact that we had so many groups partnering with us again is a sign that United in Service is a concept that works.”
Added Shore’s Director of Advancement Jody Johnson, “Together, Shore and the United Way made this an energizing and productive day for all. Students had a great time, parents felt their contributions were genuinely worthwhile, and the organizations were delighted with the practical help they received. I’m proud of all we accomplished on this second United in Service Day.”
Shore teacher and event co-organizer Doug Lucey agreed. “Witnessing Shore families engaging with organizations all over the North Shore was truly invigorating. Our partnership with the United Way has gelled so well over the last two years, and Sarah Bartley continues to be a vital force of organization and efficiency for the project.”
Continued Lucey, “This year, we were excited to expand the impact of the event beyond one day in September, and we’re thrilled to see our community building lasting relationships with the volunteer groups. I foresee students, teachers, and families participating on other occasions throughout the year, and I can even see that involvement making an impact on our curriculum as our students develop a deeper understanding of what it takes to make a difference in their community and in their world.”
The North Shore United Way invests almost $1M each year in local causes to transform lives and improve communities now and for future generations. NSUW rigorously vets and supports dozens of programs that serve children, families, and seniors in eight North Shore communities. For more about funded programs, go to nsuw.org. To find a volunteer opportunity on the North Shore, visit volunteer.nsuw.org.
-
-
Planting spinach for the Food Project at Long Hill Farm
-
Sorting critical supplies for Partners in Development
-
Winterizing garden plots with Backyard Growers
-
Preparing meals for Family Promise Shelters
-
Clearing a paddock path at Windrush Farm
-
Decorating blankets for Community Giving Tree
-
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.