This month, students at The Pennington School engaged in several events designed to support local organizations. On Tuesday, October 26, several students volunteered at the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry, which assists people who find themselves in need of a helping hand. Using the public school bus system and all-volunteer workers, the Pantry collects, sorts, packages, and delivers groceries and fresh produce weekly to neighbors in Ewing and throughout the Valley. The Pennington students packed many bags of food that were delivered at the end of the week to families in Ewing and Hopewell.
Another group of Pennington students are working on Jared Boxes to donate to pediatric patients at a local hospital. After collecting toys, books, and crafts from Pennington students, parents, and faculty members, the group will create the Jared Boxes. From the Jared Box project website : “A Jared Box is a plastic shoe-sized storage box filled with small gifts, toys, games, crayons, coloring books, and fun activities. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. The boxes are given to children in the hospital to provide a special, fun diversion.” Last year, over 100 Jared Boxes were put together at Pennington and delivered to young children, bringing joy to those who are confined to the hospital.
Pennington’s Community Service Club also coordinated a very successful donation drive of hygiene products designated for Afghan refugees who are living at the McGuire-Fort Dix Air Force Base. The group plans to support the refugees throughout the year and will participate in another drive early in the new year.
Faculty members Tiernan Close and David Hallgren, who lead the community service efforts at the School, said, “It is great to see students being socially aware and pulling together to help those in need.”
Submitted by The Pennington School, an independent coeducational school for students in grades 6 through 12, in both day and boarding programs. The curriculum is college preparatory, with an emphasis on individual excellence, fostering the development of the whole student through academics, athletics, community service, and the creative and performing arts.
