Grandview Heights Schools recently hosted a district wide DAY OF SERVICE experience.

At Stevenson Elementary, each grade level focused on a different organization, or way that they could make a difference in their community. Kindergarten partnered with Faith Mission and conducted a hygiene drive to provide those who visit the shelter with hygiene products when they enter. I was able to deliver those to the shelter and the donations were met with gratitude and joy. First grade worked with Neighborhood Services Food Pantry to contribute to their Holiday Boxes for families in need. Second grade is kicking off their Winter Wishes Drive with Riverview International Services where they will be collecting winter items for those in need (please see the attachment). Third grade worked with Seeds of Caring to create holiday cards and ornaments for people in senior living facilities who may be alone during this time. Thank you so much for all of your support in helping our students see how they can make a difference! 

What did this week’s DAY OF SERVICE look like at Larson Middle School?  It was all hands and hearts on deck with students creating stashes of birthday cards and collecting and assembling care packages for Star House, central Ohio's only drop-in center for youth ages 14-24 who are experiencing homelessness while other students were making wonderful, soft gift blankets for children in foster care. 

At Grandview Heights High School, the DAY OF SERVICE presented as a Mini-Conference and it was a complete success! Thank you to The Salvation Army, Bobcat Boosters, Franklin Co. Dog Shelter, Families4Families, Girls on the Run, Home for Families, Huckleberry House, Rosanne Rosen, and Start Talking Grandview! Students attended break-out sessions with each organization to learn about what they do and, more importantly, how they can offer impact. One early outcome: Our service-oriented clubs are joining together to organize a "super club" huge all-school drive for the groups that presented on our day of service!

In addition to our district wide DAY OF SERVICE activities, students enrolled in our before and after school childcare program Kids' Club have participated in a variety of service projects lately creating:

●  placemats for Meals on Wheels

●  letters and art for Operation Gratitude

●  quizzes to earn grains of rice - benefiting The United Nations World Food Programme

●  salt dough ornaments and thank you notes for the Grandview Heights Divisions of Fire and Police

●  Holiday Cheer Gift Bags for seniors through Boulevard Presbyterian Church's Christmas Box Project