Holiday Family Service Project
Children's Restoration Network's Wrap Party- December 2006
All families were invited to take part in the "Wrap Party" for the Children's Restoration Network's annual "12 Days of Caring" Christmas Project. The organization collected toys and gifts for over 1,900 homeless children living in shelters and group homes throughout Atlanta. They hosted the "Wrap Party" from December 16th -20th. Volunteers helped match items to wish lists and wrap the gifts. This project was a wonderful way for families to get into the Christmas spirit and for parent's to teach their children the important lesson of Christmas "that it is far better to give than to receive."
Toys for Tots- December 2006
Each year Mount Vernon collects toys for the Unites States Marines Toys for Tots holiday program. Students, faculty, and staff have donated over 600 toys each year. An assembly is held and we present the toys to a United States Marine.
Thanksgiving Service Project- November 2006
Over 150 Lower School students, parents, faculty and staff members participated in the Thanksgiving Service Project. We made 226 turkey sandwiches and over 200 Thanksgiving cards, and were able to assemble 200 sack lunches. The sack lunches, which contained a turkey sandwich, a juice box, chips, cookies, and a card were distributed to homeless persons in downtown Atlanta by the Kashi Street Meals Outreach Program. Kashi is a local non-profit that hand delivers lunches to homeless men, women, and children every Wednesday of the month.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Fridays- February and March 2006
Lower School students gathered after school on several Fridays during February and March to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Through this five week service project Mount Vernon was able to donate over 1800 sandwiches to My Sister's House Shelter for Women and Children. My Sister's House is part of the Atlanta Union Mission and is just one of several shelters that they operate. The sandwiches we made were also shared with many of these shelters.
Peachtree Road United Methodist Church's Great Day of Service- March 2006
Middle school student gave up their Saturday morning and joined the parishioner's of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church's Great Day of Service. Students volunteered with Chastain Park Conservancy.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients- February 2006
Student council held a penny drive to benefit the organization and raised $5,536.
Atlanta Community Food Bank Product Rescue Center- January 2006
Middle school students volunteered on a Saturday morning and helped inspect and package over a thousand pounds of food at the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Upper School Trip to Oaxaca, México- January 2006
10th grade students participated in a 9 day educational trip to the city of Oaxaca, México. The City of Oaxaca is México’s cultural and historical center and is considered a “Patrimony of the Humanities” by the United Nations. The school’s travel abroad program, Global Journeys, provides High School students with the opportunity to "tie" their academic studies, community outreach projects, and real life experiences together.
As part of the school’s international outreach mission project, the students were required to identify an organization or worthy cause in need of assistance. After selecting the Ciudad de Los Ninos shelter in Oaxaca, México they developed both a short term and long term plan which included the entire Mount Vernon community in their outreach efforts while effectively assisting the children of the shelter. During their visit to the shelter, the students delivered clothes, school supplies and toiletry items, as well as basic food items such as powder milk and cleaning supplies. Most importantly, they shared their time and friendship with the children of Oaxáca.
Cookies and Caroling- December 2005
Middle school students visited with the residents at The Mt. Vernon Village. They shared cookies, stories, and sang Christmas songs together.
Food Drive for the Community Action Center (CAC) - November 2005
Students participated in a food drive to benefit CAC. Student council members helped deliver, sort and shelve the donated food.
* This is an annual project.
Sitting for Soldiers- November 2005
Seventh and Eight grade students baby-sat Mount Vernon students (PreK- 2nd grade) while their parents had a night to themselves. The money raised was used to purchase USO Care Packages for deployed service members.
Clifton Night Shelter- November 2005
Middle school students held a hat, glove, and sock drive for the shelter. The items were gift wrapped and delivered to the shelter before the holidays.
Cell Phones for Soldiers- November 2005
Student council held a school wide collection of cell phones for soldiers over seas.
Project Open Hand- October 2005
Middle school students volunteered after school at Project Open Hand. They scooped prepared food into containers that were delivered to homebound individuals.
*This is an ongoing project.
Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive- October 2005
Student council held a relief drive for Hurricane Katrina victims and raised over $4,500.
