Rachel Ding ‘26
As love was in the air at our school here in Southborough, smoke had just filled the air at our partner school in Los Angeles. From January 7th to February 3rd, 480 fires in LA destroyed 16,251 structures, including the Saint Mark's School in Altadena. The elementary school lost its "beautiful campus and church in the Eaton Fire" and has established an "Emergency Rebuild Saint Mark's Fund" to fund both the short-term relocation of its programs and the longer-term reconstruction of its campus.
In light of Valentine's Day, the Paws for a Cause club wanted to spread some love to those especially in need of it. Members gathered the night before to prepare an assortment of sweet treats—cookies, cupcakes, and muffins—to sell beside the Kisses and Carnations table. The money raised was sent to our partner school to support their rebuilding efforts and hopefully uplift their community spirit.
Paws for a Cause reminds us that love is not a feeling but a choice we can make through our daily actions. One of the most meaningful ways to enact love is through service—it takes barely anything out of your cup but can overfill someone else's. As a school, we had a taste of its sweetness during the Service Day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The third-form packed hygiene kits for those experiencing shelter stays and "Welcome Home" kits for those transitioning from temporary housing and wrote "Messages of Hope" cards to be included in the kits, with the organization Heading Home. Meanwhile, fourth-formers packed Valentine's Day treat bags and wrote message cards for families served by the charitable service organization Project Just Because. Fifth-formers worked with a representative from Provisions Ministry to package hygiene kits for those who were homeless or in shelters. As the upperclassmen, sixth-formers came up with unique ways they want to serve the St. Mark's community during their remaining time here—from writing letters to incoming students and cleaning up the dining hall after today's lunch to brainstorming on projects related to Special Olympics and creating cards of hope, as well as how they want to leave their mark here.
If you are interested in helping beyond our community, be on the lookout for Dr. Kopp's emails! Not only did she oversee this bake sale, but has been bringing students to join her in other local service activities, which have included making bouquets for nursing home residents, packing duffel bags for foster kids, and volunteering at the Southborough Food Pantry.