We wish to expose students to different organizations and causes, as well as to different ways in which they can contribute. We work to develop partnerships that will enable students to form relationships with the individuals with whom they are working. We strive to develop the habit of service in as many students as possible by offering a wide variety of service opportunities.
Art with a Heart: Students work on or prepare materials for projects such as murals and mosaics. Ashburton Elementary School: We conducted a uniform drive and members of our Cross Country team ran with the members of their Girls on the Run club. Build-a-Block: Students help to build a home for a family. Candygrams: Students sell Candygrams in all divisions of the School for Valentine's Day and thoughtfully consider where to donate the proceeds from these sales. This year we will be able to donate over $1,000 to the Northern Kenya Fund which provides secondary school and college tuition for promising students, with a focus on young women. Celebration of Thanks and Giving: We hold a school-wide Celebration of Thanks and Giving just prior to Thanksgiving each year. Part of the celebration includes a food drive to help stock the shelves of the Donald Bentley Food Pantry. Civicworks: Students participated in the Civicworks Day of Service. Clifton Park Soccer Clinic: The varsity soccer team ran one afternoon clinic for children from several daycare centers. Empty Bowls: Students paint bowls to donate to St. Vincent de Paul’s Empty Bowls event to support area soup kitchens. GFS Daycare: Students assist with the care of faculty members' children in the Garrison Forest daycare. G.R.E.E.N.: The students educate the community about issues affecting our environment and coordinate recycling and conservation efforts on and off campus. Habitat for Humanity – Faculty Project: The Garrison Forest faculty has been sponsoring and working on a Habitat House each year since 2005. Homework Helpers: Upper School students assist younger GFS students with their assignments. Humane Society: Students will make stimulating toys for the animals and help to keep their play space safe. Girls also volunteered at Dogfest, their major fundraiser. Jhpiego: Fundraising and awareness activities to support world-wide women's reproductive health Larry's Ride: Our tennis team volunteered at this annual ride for Bike Maryland, a cycling advocacy group. Maryland Special Olympics Basketball Practices: Students help with fitness tests, drills, and scrimmages to prepare the athletes for competition. My Sister's Place Women's Center: Girls help serve lunch at My Sister's Place, a day shelter for women and children in Baltimore, once a month. They also sell Ghostgrams at Halloween each year to raise money for food and supplies. Our Daily Bread: Girls make sandwiches for Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen and volunteer to serve meals at ODB throughout the year. Pennies for Patients: Fundraiser to benefit Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation Polar Bear Plunge: A number of intrepid souls participated in this icy dip to support Special Olympics. Race for the Cure: A school-wide group of students, parents, and friends register and run, walk, or sleep-in to raise money and promote awareness about breast cancer. Red Cross Blood Drive: Students raise awareness about the pressing need for blood donations and organize a school-wide blood drive each February as close to Valentine's Day as possible. Sarah’s Hope: Students provide festive monthly birthday parties for the children at this Reisterstown homeless shelter. The Samaritan Women: Students work in the vegetable garden at this facility for women who have been trafficked and are now being prepared to entered culinary careers. Woodholme Elementary School Partnership: 9th Graders serve as reading buddies for the elementary school students, helping them to build their vocabulary and increase their reading fluency. The Computer Science club is also providing coding lessons.
