The first-ever campus wide Philanthropy week at Porter-Gaud.

The FIRST-EVER campus wide Philanthropy week at Porter-Gaud celebrating the spirit of giving was held November 8-12, 2010. Philanthropy week involved all students, families, teachers and the rest of the Porter-Gaud community. Throughout the week, students came together for a kick-off, all-school assembly, a special chapel lesson and an all-school lunch.

On Thursday, November 11th, students were paired together by grade level to complete a service project together on campus. The Upper and Middle School students had the opportunity to serve as role-models for the Lower School students, while making a difference in the lives of others throughout the local and global community. Each service project took place in a different location around campus, beginning with a guest speaker representing that organization, and conclude with a hands-on activity which was then packaged and delivered to those in need.

Each project was designed to touch different needs throughout the community. Porter-Gaud asked every student to bring a donation in advance that would contribute to their grade level project. The school felt this would help students be more invested in the project and in philanthropy. The 12th grade was paired with the 6th grade for the “Helping Gardens Grow” project. Students made small bird houses for Brownswood Place residents at Sea Island’s Habitat for Humanity on Johns Island. They also made small garden care packages for each resident. Students were asked to bring in approximately 2 items from the following list:

1. Bird seed (packets or bag of)
2. Gardening gloves
3. Garden shovels
4. Packets of Vegetable or Flower Seeds
5. Clippers
6. Small or full size tools (hammers, screw drivers, measuring tapes, etc)

This was a rare opportunity for students to experience a community-wide endeavor for those less fortunate. Regardless of their age or understanding of what it means to volunteer or contribute, the Porter-Gaud student’s eyes were opened to the incredible possibilities that exist to give back.

Above is a picture of group of porter-Gaud students delivering the bird houses and garden care packages to the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity residents of Brownswood Place on Johns Island.