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More than 200 Viewpoint Students Were Ready to Serve and Make a Difference at the School’s Annual Community Service Day
More than 200 Viewpoint Students Were Ready to Serve and Make a Difference at the School’s Annual Community Service Day

The day before Thanksgiving, more than half of our Upper School students participated in meaningful service projects, demonstrating inspired leadership and global citizenship. Every year during this season of giving, Upper School students in CORE (Community OutReach for Everyone) organize this impactful day of volunteering to support local nonprofit organizations, and those in need.

On November 27, CORE student leaders organized six different projects to support non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles area. The activities ranged from an annual beach cleanup in support of the Surfrider Foundation, crafting letters of gratitude for first responders with Operation Gratitude, to packaging canned goods and non-perishable food items for the West Valley Food Pantry. A total of 228 Upper School students, accompanied by 19 faculty chaperones, generously volunteered their time to contribute to these meaningful causes.

“For nearly 25 years, Community Service Day has been an integral part of my Thanksgiving tradition,” said Pam Oseransky, Viewpoint’s Coordinator of Service Learning. “After spending about 18 years volunteering as a chaperone, I transitioned to coordinating the event with the support of hundreds of CORE students over the years. It’s incredibly inspiring to see dedicated faculty members arrive early on a non-official school day, and knowing that hundreds of Upper School students are spreading across LA County to make a positive impact fills me with so much hope.”

This year, students participated in a new pilot initiative, Wood Turning Pens for the Troops, led by Lance Argano-Rush, Physical Science Teacher. In this project, students handcrafted beautiful pens to honor retired military personnel. The initiative was met with enthusiasm, and plans are already in place to expand it next year.

The Sack Lunch Challenge also achieved a record-breaking milestone this year, with students preparing nearly 900 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—surpassing the previous record of 700. These lunches were donated to Hope the Mission, providing nourishment to unhoused community members.

Community Service Day embodies the spirit of giving and unity, inspiring Viewpoint’s CORE students and faculty to come together and make a lasting difference for those in need.

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