Featured Story
Students “Go Forth to Serve” — Making a Difference for Local Nonprofits
December was a busy month at St. Luke's, with numerous opportunities for students to "Go Forth to Serve."
Led by the Class of 2024, the month kicked off with the annual Carver Center Holiday Toy Drive. For more than 20 years, St. Luke's has partnered with the Carver Center in Norwalk.
Students, faculty, staff, and families were invited to donate new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0-16. The toys were then distributed at the Carver Center Holiday Party, where children from the center enjoyed a night of holiday crafts, games, face painting, refreshments, and pictures with Santa! Thank you to everyone who donated generously and to St. Luke's juniors Sylvia Samardijza, Nicole Perez, Megan Case, Calum Regan, McLain Boege, and Sofia Staikos for coordinating this year's events.
Our Midnight Run Club, led by Atara Loewenberg '24, held its big run into New York City on Saturday, Dec. 3. The group collected clothing and food donations to deliver to people living on New York City's streets. It was cold and rainy the day of the run. However, that afternoon, close to 40 St. Luke's students showed up at school to help pack lunches, sort toiletries, and load food and clothing into the van. Once everything was packed, 10 students, accompanied by Upper School Science Chair Janet Jochem, Upper School English Chair Marta Napiorkowska, and Atara's parents, headed into the city. The group distributed over half of what they brought to people who were cold, hungry, and living on the streets, despite many seeking shelter from the rain for the evening. The remaining food was put to good use and later delivered to Pacific House in Norwalk.
The Middle School was also bustling with service activity this December. On Friday, Dec. 2, fifth and sixth graders spent time after school making dog treats for PAWS, a pet animal welfare society in Norwalk. The students sold the treats at St. Luke's Holiday Boutique and donated the leftovers to the dogs at the shelter.
The following Friday, seventh and eighth graders were invited to stay after school to make blankets for Circle of Care, a Wilton-based organization that provides care packages to children recently diagnosed with cancer. These simple blankets feature two layers of colorful fleece, which are tied together around the edges to create a warm and cozy throw. Thank you to Middle School Science Chair Susan Bralower and the class parents for organizing these two events, which had the Fireplace Commons humming with activity.
December wouldn't be complete without St. Luke's Holiday Boutique! This annual event creates a shopping experience where people can buy holiday gift items, with all proceeds benefiting nonprofit organizations. Each pop-up shop is hosted by a student-led club, local organization, or St. Luke's parent. In addition to many other tables selling holiday gifts, this year, the entire sixth grade made products in their designLab class to sell at the boutique, including keychains, bracelets, earrings, cookie cutters, and more. The students' imaginations were on full display, and their efforts resulted in about $2,000 being donated to worthy organizations that they selected, including 350.org, World Wildlife Fund, Yale Hospital, and the Alzheimer's Association. We're grateful to all the parents, students, and faculty who came to the event and helped make it so successful.
Throughout December, our community continued with the usual Wednesday afternoon trips to Inspirica, where we have a team of Upper Schoolers who volunteer in the Youth Center. Students interested in joining this group should reach out to Upper School Science Teacher Maggie Calcio for more information.
Our Midnight Run Club, led by Atara Loewenberg '24, held its big run into New York City on Saturday, Dec. 3. The group collected clothing and food donations to deliver to people living on New York City's streets. It was cold and rainy the day of the run. However, that afternoon, close to 40 St. Luke's students showed up at school to help pack lunches, sort toiletries, and load food and clothing into the van. Once everything was packed, 10 students, accompanied by Upper School Science Chair Janet Jochem, Upper School English Chair Marta Napiorkowska, and Atara's parents, headed into the city. The group distributed over half of what they brought to people who were cold, hungry, and living on the streets, despite many seeking shelter from the rain for the evening. The remaining food was put to good use and later delivered to Pacific House in Norwalk.
The Middle School was also bustling with service activity this December. On Friday, Dec. 2, fifth and sixth graders spent time after school making dog treats for PAWS, a pet animal welfare society in Norwalk. The students sold the treats at St. Luke's Holiday Boutique and donated the leftovers to the dogs at the shelter.
The following Friday, seventh and eighth graders were invited to stay after school to make blankets for Circle of Care, a Wilton-based organization that provides care packages to children recently diagnosed with cancer. These simple blankets feature two layers of colorful fleece, which are tied together around the edges to create a warm and cozy throw. Thank you to Middle School Science Chair Susan Bralower and the class parents for organizing these two events, which had the Fireplace Commons humming with activity.
December wouldn't be complete without St. Luke's Holiday Boutique! This annual event creates a shopping experience where people can buy holiday gift items, with all proceeds benefiting nonprofit organizations. Each pop-up shop is hosted by a student-led club, local organization, or St. Luke's parent. In addition to many other tables selling holiday gifts, this year, the entire sixth grade made products in their designLab class to sell at the boutique, including keychains, bracelets, earrings, cookie cutters, and more. The students' imaginations were on full display, and their efforts resulted in about $2,000 being donated to worthy organizations that they selected, including 350.org, World Wildlife Fund, Yale Hospital, and the Alzheimer's Association. We're grateful to all the parents, students, and faculty who came to the event and helped make it so successful.
Throughout December, our community continued with the usual Wednesday afternoon trips to Inspirica, where we have a team of Upper Schoolers who volunteer in the Youth Center. Students interested in joining this group should reach out to Upper School Science Teacher Maggie Calcio for more information.
While December is often noted as the month of giving, St. Luke's students embrace our school's motto, Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve year round. Please visit the Center for Leadership Service page to learn about upcoming opportunities.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
