Service Learning Club Mid-Year Round-Up

Written by Lukas D. '24 and Valentina R. '23

The Service Learning Club has come together to contribute to our community and local non-profit organizations in the first half of the year.

The Service Learning Club participated in Christmas for Children, a group that donates presents to children in need.

Many members of the Service Learning Club participated in A Night in the Cold in early December to raise funds to support Homeless Solutions. They slept overnight in a tent to experience a fraction of what homeless people go through during the winter. In total, they raised $13,800 for Homeless Solutions. Initially, their goal was to raise $2,000, but after passing it, they increased it to $6,000, $10,000, and finally $15,000 making almost $12,000 more than expected.

A group of students from the Service Learning Club was able to visit one of the Homeless Solutions facilities. They learned about the various available programs and saw firsthand what incredible work this organization does. We hope to return there in the spring to prepare and serve a meal and host a birthday party for their guests.

We also donated 1,125 socks to Operation Chill-Out, a homeless veteran outreach. Grade 7 student John Marran has been involved with this organization for several years. Mr. Kramer’s mom knitted three hats for that donation drive.

In addition, we donated 60 meal kits that we put together in collaboration with the Preschool and Grade 2 classes. We donated the meal kits to Nourish. NJ. As a family, you can help by signing up to help make meal kits by visiting their website, Nourish N.J.

The Grade 8 students also have had a chance to play with Preschool students; this makes it so that the Grade 8 students have an opportunity to create a connection with the younger students.

The school also raised money through a dress-down day to support an organization called Fly Pups. This organization takes dogs that are in danger from the South to the North. The money we raised, $1,225 covered the cost of the plane fuel.

We have new goals to accomplish for the new year, and we hope to fulfill them all.

PHOTO GALLERY

A FlyPups representative spoke to Service Learning students.

Matthew Kiener, Founder & Chief Volunteer Pilot thanks Far Hills Country Day School for their efforts in helping rescue dogs.

Student Valentina R presented a check to FlyPups.

Valentina R. '23 presents a check for $1,225 to Matthew Kiener. That check will cover the cost of gas for a flight to pick up a plane full of rescue dogs.

Pictured from left to right Darian P. '23, Valentina R. '23, Schuyler A. '23, Nadine Marran, Volunteer Project Coordinator of Operation Chillout, and John M. '24 pose with the 1,125 pairs of socks and wool hats for Operation Chillout to help support homeless veterans.

Head of School Georgia S. Zaiser delivered donations to Steeplechase Center.

Far Hills Country Day School Head of School Georgia S. Zaiser visited Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's Steeplechase Cancer Center on Thursday, December 15, 2022, to deliver over 30 Target, Amazon, and Shoprite gift cards generously donated by members of the school community to help families while their loved one is under the Center's care.