Giving on Prin Giving Day
No volunteer task appears to be too small, too tough, or not fun enough for our Upper School students! This was amply demonstrated on Prin Giving Day in mid-May, when students, faculty, and staff rolled up their sleeves and gave of their time, talents, and energy at approximately 20 locations in and around St. Louis City and County
Volunteers fanned out to a variety of agencies, including infant, youth, family, and homeless support institutions, public schools, and agencies that protect animals and wildlife. Working with limited budgets and few full-time staff, these organizations eagerly accepted—and greatly appreciated—Principians’ assistance.
Students enthusiastically weeded food garden beds; cooked a delicious meal for dozens of residents of a homeless shelter; sorted, organized, and shelved scores of donated goods; participated in telethons; and scraped, painted, and cleaned with great vigor.
“Thank you so very much for bringing your students out to volunteer with us,” exclaimed Beth Butcher, community relations manager of Youth in Need. “Your partnership and volunteerism are a blessing!”
An annual tradition, Prin Giving Day is a meaningful learning experience. The program ties in closely with the Philanthropy class, whose students volunteer throughout the year and also help plan Prin Giving Day. Junior Gorata Afagbegee was one of this year’s main student coordinators, and a participant in the class. “I have really gained a lot from this class, learning to interact with different people,” she said. “It has helped me appreciate all the things I have . . . and not to take them for granted.”
“Organizing Prin giving day was a lot of hard work,” Gorata continued, but “with a lot of prayer, everything unfolded perfectly. The students responded well, a lot of them loved it, and they were grateful for the experience.”
“We really enjoyed having the students from Principia here,” confirmed the principal of a special-education public school, adding, “Please consider us next year for your day of service!”