Service Reimagined

The Dominican Pillar of Service is a thread that ties our entire school together. Though it looks different in each division, every student is a small part of our larger goal- to make the world a better place. Instilling social responsibility in our students ensures that they will continue to make an impact when they leave our campus.

Though the 2020-2021 school year has been like no other, our Upper School students’ desire and commitment to serve has not been stifled, and their creativity to make it happen under pandemic circumstances is inspiring. Each of us are called by our Faith to serve, to give our talents and time to others who are in need.  During this current pandemic it is even more important to reach out to others who are in need of our help. Our girls are committed to finding creative ways to serve.
 
Two of these students, seniors Anna McLaughlin and Ella Coffey have strived to maintain our history of dedicated service to the students of Madonna Learning Center. As co-presidents of the Forever Friends Club, their goal is to share our love with the community at Madonna. They were determined not to let the challenges presented by COVID to slow down the activities of the club, which was started in 2016.

“Keeping our connections with the students at Madonna is so important to us, especially during this time of social distancing.” Ella remarked.

The biggest challenge they faced was not being able to visit with the Madonna students in person, but they found a way to still connect. They set up “zoom hangouts” that included crafts, snacks and games. Anna and Ella gathered materials for goodie bags, which were delivered to the school so students would have everything they needed to participate in the hangouts. In the December hangout, they made penguin ornaments and played bingo. Later this month, the club will
host a Valentine zoom hangout for their Forever Friends. Anna said, “This year has definitely been difficult, but our passion and love for these children was never a question. Despite the many challenges this club has faced, we stayed motivated, encouraged, and hopeful for this club.”

The call to serve during the pandemic was certainly not lost on Meri Alan Petro, Upper School SGA Commissioner of Service. Though her efforts often felt pointless–organizations were not open, events were cancelled, and she was often told: “There are no volunteers at this time due to Covid-19,” she persevered. Determined to not have a year of only can drives, she began to think outside of the box. She adjusted her mindset and moved forward.

“My goal this year was to focus on in-person, hands-on activities that girls could do with their friends. I wanted to make an “event” out of service. I wanted our service opportunities to be a place where we could form new friendships, strengthen old friendships--all while serving others.”

Her first idea was card making for the Page Robbins Adult Day Center and for homeless women and children in Memphis. “The idea was to “grab a friend and sign up” to make cards while chatting, listening to music, and eating homemade cookies!” she says.

After the success of that project, Meri Alan coordinated many other projects to include:

• Monthly Theme Days on campus, with participation donations benefitting various organizations such as West Cancer Center Foundation and The Child Advocacy Center

• A Halloween Event at Ave Maria Home that included decorating pumpkins for residents' rooms and chalk drawings that could be seen from their rooms

• A Clean Up Day at Pinecrest Camp in Moscow, Tennessee, where trails were cleared and cleaned

• The 31 Days of Cookies challenge that treated local firefighters to homemade cookies during the holiday season

This semester the students are planning to redesign teen space for the downtown library, cook a meal to serve with Catholic Charities, host a drive to collect feminine hygiene products, and revisit Pinecrest.

In the words of St. Dominic, “I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.” This sentiment is reflected in the statement from Meri Alan, “This role has taught me that service doesn’t have to be hard--you can serve others by simply making a card.”

Little things make a big impact!