Service Learning Club
Students interested in Service Learning meet regularly on Mondays at 3:05 p.m. in the Library to share ideas and discuss upcoming initiatives. If you want to get involved, listen to announcements, check the Service Learning bulletin board in the Library, or see Mrs. Myers.
Are you a student interested in other volunteer opportunities? Here's a list of local service opportunities.
Several student clubs focus on service projects not initiated by Service Learning. Learn more.
2020-2021 Projects
| Opportunity | Location | Dates/Times/More Info | Permission Forms/Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Pathways Tutoring- Fall/Winter | ZOOM
|
Various Saturdays October-December; please see permission form for specific dates
|
Tutoring closed for this term; recruiting for January-May will begin in December! |
|
Organize/Sponsor Lunch for Ronald McDonald House |
451 44th Street Penthouse Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15201
|
Donate funds to purchase a meal for Ronald McDonald House (not allowing in-person volunteers due to COVID) | Contact Ms. Myers to donate |
| Holiday Project Gift Drive | SSA | Gifts assigned in November; collected first of December | Announcements via Daily Bulletin and email; contact Ms. Myers with questions |
- 2019-2020 Projects
- 2018-2019 Projects
- 2017-2018 Projects
- 2016-2017 Projects
- 2015-2016 Projects
- 2014-2015 Projects
- 2013-2014 Projects
- 2012-2013 Projects
- 2011-2012 Projects
- 2010-2011 Projects
2019-2020 Projects
- Urban Pathways Tutoring (all year)
- Students tutored at Urban Pathways Charter School in Downtown Pittsburgh on select Saturdays throughout the year.
- Went Virtual during Distance Learning at the end of the year!
- Blood Drives for Vitalant
- Students, faculty, and staff donated blood for the Vitalant
- Drives held in October and January
- Holiday Project for Allegheny Department of Health and Human Services (November-December)
- Service learning sponsored 140 young children for the Holiday Project, for which Shady Side Academy members selected a child and bought a holiday gift for a child in need.
- Book Drive for Produce to People for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (November)
- Students collected and gave away over 400 books for all ages
- Students assisted with organization and distribution at Produce to People events at Pittsburgh Faison K-5 school.
- Prepare Meals for the Ronald McDonald House
- Prepare lunch for residents at the Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh
- Completed in September and December
- Craft Activity for the Ronald McDonald House
- Prepare a craft and assist House residents while creating their artwork
- Completed in November
- Holiday Cards for Patients at HealthSouth (December)
- Students addressed cards to patients at HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital.
- Thank You Cards for Veterans (November)
- Students addressed cards to patients at patients at Veterans Affiars Healthcare Hospital in Aspinwall, and visited the VA to distribute the cards to patients.
- Welcome Bags for Ronald McDonald House
- Students made 100 Welcome Bags, filled with snacks and treats, for families staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Pittsburgh
2018-2019 Projects
- Urban Pathways Tutoring (all year)
- Students tutored at Urban Pathways Charter School in Downtown Pittsburgh on select Saturdays throughout the year.
- Blood Drives for Vitalant (all year)
- Students, faculty, and staff donated blood for the Vitalant
- Holiday Project for Allegheny Department of Health and Human Services (November-December)
- Service learning sponsored over 125 young children for the Holiday Project, for which Shady Side Academy members selected a child and bought a holiday gift for a child in need.
- Book Drive for Produce to People for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (November)
- Students collected and gave away over 400 books for all ages
- Students assisted with organization and distribution at Produce to People events at Pittsburgh Faison K-5 school.
- Prepare Meals for the Ronald McDonald House
- Prepare lunch for residents at the Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh
- Completed in September, December, and February
- Holiday Cards for Patients at HealthSouth (December)
- Students addressed cards to patients at HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital.
- Thank You Cards for Veterans (November)
- Students addressed cards to patients at patients at Veterans Affiars Healthcare Hospital in Aspinwall, and visited the VA to distribute the cards to patients.
- Welcome Bags for Ronald McDonald House
- Students made 100 Welcome Bags, filled with snacks and treats, for families staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Pittsburgh
2017-2018 Projects
- Urban Pathways Tutoring (all year)
- Students tutored at Urban Pathways Charter School in Downtown Pittsburgh on select Saturdays throughout the year.
- Blood Drives for the Central Blood Bank (all year)
- Students, faculty, and staff donated blood for the Central Blood Bank
- Supply Drive for Hurricane Victims
- Students organized a supply drive for victims of Hurrican Harvey in Houston, Texas, supporting the Houston Independent School District
- Students organized a supply drive for Victims of Hurricane Maria, supporting the collection by the Brother's Brother Foundation
- Meals on Wheels Lollipop Sales (all year)
- Students sold lollipops, and raised $139.44 for the local Meals on Wheels organization.
- Holiday Project for Allegheny Department of Health and Human Services (November-December)
- Service learning sponsored over 125 young children for the Holiday Project, for which Shady Side Academy members selected a child and bought a holiday gift for a child in need.
- Ship Books to Service Members (November-December)
- Produce to People for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (November & December)
- Students assisted with organization and distribution at Produce to People events at Pittsburgh Faison K-5 school.
- Holiday Cards for Patients at HealthSouth (December)
- Students addressed cards to patients at HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital.
- Holiday and Valentine Cards for Veterans (December and February)
- Students addressed cards to patients at patients at Veterans Affiars Healthcare Hospital in Aspinwall, and visited the VA to distribute the cards to patients.
- Blankets for the Humane Animal Rescue (January and February)
- Students made fleece blankets for animals at the Humane Animal Rescue in Pittsburgh
- Supply drive and donation for homeless in Pittsburgh (February)
- Senior Hannah Steffey organized a supply drive and a dress-down fundraiser for the Light of Life Rescue Mission in Pittsburgh
- Welcome Bags for Ronald McDonald House
- Students made over 150 Welcome Bags, filled with snacks and treats, for families staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Pittsburgh
2016-2017 Projects
- Blood Drives for the Central Blood Bank (all year)
- Students, faculty, and staff donated blood for the Central Blood Bank (total 44 donors).
- Meals on Wheels Lollipop Sales (all year)
- Students sold lollipops, and raised $279.49 for the local Meals on Wheels organization.
- Urban Pathways Tutoring (all year)
- Students tutored at Urban Pathways Charter School in Downtown Pittsburgh on select Saturdays throughout the year.
- Wear a Hat for Cancer Children’s Hospital Fundraiser (October)
- Service Learning sold ribbons for students to wear hats, raising money for the hospital, in a joint effort between the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools (SS raised $162).
- Halloween Candy Collection (October-November)
- Jeanne Lauer organized a collection of Halloween Candy to be donated to local food banks.
- Holiday Project for Allegheny Department of Health and Human Services (November-December)
- Service learning sponsored over 125 young children for the Holiday Project, for which Shady Side Academy members selected a child and bought a holiday gift for a child in need.
- Produce to People for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (December & April)
- Students assisted with organization and distribution at Produce to People events at Pittsburgh Faison K-5 school.
- Holiday Cards for Patients at HealthSouth (December)
- Students addressed cards to patients at HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital.
- MLK Day Book Drive for Children's Hospital (January)
- Students collected 314 books, and on MLK Day met at the library to clean and organize the books to be donated to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for their Adopt-a-Book program.
- Backpack for Hunger (January & May)
- Service Learning sponsored two drives for the local Fox Chapel chapter of Backpack for Hunger, which provides food for low-income students in the Fox Chapel area.
- Student of the Year Fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (January-February)
- Two student teams participated in the Western PA Student of the Year fundraising competion to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Valentine’s for Patients at Hillman Cancer Center (February)
- Students, faculty, and the Residential Life community made valentines for cancer patients at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside.
- Knit Hats for Cancer Patients (February-April)
- Senior School students and parents held a knitting party, and knitted hats to be distributed to cancer patients at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside. Over 30 hats were made by parents and students.
- Personal Hygiene Products Drive (April)
- Students, faculty and staff donated personal hygiene products for the Pitt Global Medical Brigade to distribute at their clinics in Honduras.
- Blankets for the Humane Animal Rescue (May)
- Students in the Service Learning club partnered with the CARE club to make blankets for animals at the Humane Animal Rescue.
2015-2016 Projects
- Students unloaded the Food Bank truck, set up tables and distributed food at Produce to People on Dec. 3 from 8:30 a.m.-noon.
- The Central Blood Bank collected blood from 28 people on Nov. 12 at the John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive.
- 38 students volunteered as tutors and mentors to elementary school students at Urban Pathways Charter Schools on select Saturdays.
- Halloween candy was collected and donated to the Ronald McDonald House on Nov 5.
- Eliza Fisher raised $209 for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation through a Pie a Teacher in the Face event.
- $368 was raised for the American Cancer Society on Lee National Denim Day on Oct. 9
- 11 students repacked 19,200 pounds of food for local community food banks on Oct. 10. View the slideshow.
2014-2015 Projects
- Wear a Hat for Cancer Day raised $1,028 for the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and the Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
- 31 students tutored elementary students at Urban Pathways Charter Schools over seven Saturdays from February through May.
Nearly $400 was raised for Our Military Kids at a Coffeehouse on Nov. 20.- Students repackaged apples, sweet potatoes and carrots at Produce to People on Nov. 8. View slideshow.
- The Central Blood Bank collected 29 units of blood on Nov. 6 at the John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive.
- The woods on the Senior School campus were "haunted" by student volunteers for the Haunted Walk on Oct. 29, which raised $700 for the SSA Farm. View slideshow.
- Students, faculty and staff donated $5 for Lee National Denim Day on Oct. 24, raising $858 for the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.
- Students volunteered for Redd Up Pittsburgh on Oct. 18, beautifying Bloomfield.
- Students volunteered at the Junior School Welcome Back Picnic on Sept. 21.
2013-2014 Projects
- Students help to sort food at Produce to People on May 3.
- A blood drive supported the Central Blood Bank.
- Students knitted lap blankets for the H.J. Heinz Campus of the VA.
- Students volunteered for Habitat for Humanity over spring break, working in the Habitat ReStore on March 25 and remodeling a home on March 27. View slideshow.
- The White Sock Project collected 1,369 pairs of socks for the homeless through Operation Safety Net, and was organized by sophomores Caroline Colville, Katie Bray McGhee and Gianna Pipitone.
- Mark Antosz, Brian Foster and Nyla Zal distributes fresh food at Produce to People on Jan. 11.
- With the proceeds from a bake sale, Isabella Borrero purchased blankets and treats for the patients in the Stem Cell Transplant Unit at the Hillman Cancer Institute. In addition, students wrote holiday cards to patients and nurses.
- Philippines Dress-Down Day raised more than $1,000 for Church World Service to benefit victims of the typhoon in the Philippines.
- Gabby Pollock held a letter-writing campaign and bake sale, sending 100 letters to oversees military through A Million Thanks.
- Students spent the morning of Nov. 9 at Produce to People.
- Students visited Bethlehem Haven on Nov. 7, painting nails, making bracelets and serving desserts they previously made to the residents.
- The John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive on Nov. 5 collected 35 units of blood. Prior to the drive, Jeff Pollock '80 spoke to students at assembly, sharing his experience of donating blood, which lead to the discovery of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Watch the video.
- Thirteen students participated in Redd Up Pittsburgh on Oct. 26, cleaning trash in Homewood and setting up for a clothing distribution.
- Students, faculty and staff donated $5 for Lee National Denim Day on Oct. 4, raising $1,148.50 for the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research. View slideshow.
- 15 students helped with the Junior School Welcome Picnic on Sept. 22.
- 14 students volunteered at Produce to People on Sept. 7, distributing fruits and vegetables to nearly 700 families. View slideshow.
- Five students played games with residents at the Children's Institute on Aug. 15.
2012-2013 Projects
- Seven students volunteered at the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank on April 13, repackaging sweet potatoes and oranges. View slideshow.
- Students volunteered at Produce to People on March 23, sorting and repacking food for distribution. View slideshow.
- Nine students went to the Children's Institute on Feb. 19 to play games with patients.
- Students donated 89 pairs of gently used jeans for Teens for Jeans in partnership with DoSomething.
- Advisee groups filled 55 shoe boxes with treats, which were delivered to Manchester Elementary School on Dec. 19. View slideshow.
- Students sang carols to residents at HealthSouth on Dec. 18.
- 100 gifts were donated to the Holiday Project Gift Drive, benefiting the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth and Families. View slideshow.
- 20 boxes of toiletries were delivered to Light of Life Mission on Dec. 17, through the No Soap Left Behind drive.
- Coffee House for Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) on Nov. 29 raised more than $500. View slideshow.
- The John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive on Nov. 6 collected 45 units of blood, helping 150 local patients.
2011-2012 Projects
- No Soap Left Behind collected boxes of toiletries for Bethlehem Haven Shelter as part of the MLK Day of Service projects.
- The MLK Day of Service clothing drive collected 26 coats, 10 hoodies, 10 scarves and several miscellaneous items for local homeless shelters.
- Twelve cell phones were collected and donated to the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WCS).
- $205 was raised for Heifer International and used to purchase a sheep and a promise basket, which contains geese, ducks and chickens.
- Junior Christiana Jueng organized a collection of new toys and gifts for the Allegheny County Holiday Project for children who receive services through the Office of Children, Youth and Families. The drive brought in nearly 70 gifts.
- Three students volunteered at the Catholic Charities Heart to Souls event on Nov. 23, where homeless people received breakfast, socks, a flu shot, warm clothing and were fitted for shoes. View slideshow.
- The John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive on Nov. 1 collected 62 units of blood, tying a record set in 1994!
- Thirteen students and several parents and faculty repacked food at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank on Nov. 5.
- We raised $1,672 for Lee National Denim Day for the Entertainment Industry Foundation to benefit breast cancer education and early detection.
- Eight students helped distribute food on the South Side on Sept. 24 at Produce to People.
2010-2011 Projects
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters - 26 students mentored Dorseyville Middle School students.
- Lee Denim Day - This fundraiser benefited the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which supports breast cancer research. It was held on Oct. 1, 2010 and $1,216 was raised.
- Food Drives/Scouting for Food - Two food drives were held, one led by Chris Sawicki (250 items gathered in Dec.) and the other was the Souper Bowl Challenge (298 cans of soup collected in Feb.).
- Southern Tornado victims - Through hot chocolate, gum and hand warmer sales, over $200 was raised throughout the year. The students decided to donate the money to the victims of the April tornados.
- Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - Twenty students helped repack paper products to be distributed to the needy on Feb. 26. Ten students helped distribute produce in Homewood on April 9.
- Blood Drives - Three blood drives were held to maintain a blood supply for area hospitals. 163 units were donated.
- CYF Holiday Project/Giving Tree - Chelsea Begg headed the collection and delivery of over 40 holiday presents.
- Jubilee Soup Kitchen - On Feb. 27, four students helped prepare and serve lunch to the poor.
- Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh - This one-day, intense rehabbing of a home or park on May 14.
- Urban Promise - For this “Alternative Spring Break,” seven students and two teachers helped at a homeless shelter and in after-school programs in Camden, NJ from March 13-18.
- No Soap Left Behind - Tyler Edwards spearheaded a collection of toiletries for Light of Life Mission.
- Susan Komen Foundation - Over 300 Yoplait yogurt lids were collected, each worth $.10. The funds were given to cancer research.
- Lessons on Hunger - A representative from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank spoke in Economics classes about hunger.