Below is a list of community service projects and fundraisers Hill students, faculty, and staff supported during the 2010-11 school year.
10/6/2010: Hill students explore and preserve our environment
On Sunday, October 3, four Hill students went to the Wharton State Forest in New Jersey. The students watched a film about the history of the forest, took a short nature hike to learn about the ecosystem of the forest, and paddled down a four mile stretch of the Lower Mullica River. Additionally, on Tuesday, October 5, The Hill participated in The Tri County Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Equipment Recycling Day. Students from the Green Initiative, Community Service program, and Environmental Science classes recycled outdated electronics equipment such as computer monitors and keyboards.
10/15/2011: Students enjoy visit to local orchard
Nine Hill students ventured to Frecon Farms in Boyertown, Pa., where they picked fresh apples and pears, visited a farmer’s market, and heard from Chris Adukaitis ’93 who co-owns the farm. The trip helped to support local fresh produce and strengthened community ties.
10/19/2010: Hill students and faculty walk for hunger
On October 10, 2010, 60 Hill students and seven faculty members participated in the annual 10K CROP Walk for Hunger in Pottstown. The walk raises awareness and funds for hunger relief both national and world-wide. Twenty-five percent of the local proceeds go directly to the Cluster Outreach Center in Pottstown. Hill students held a competition to see which form could raise the most money. The fifth form won, raising $1,904. In just a week, The Hill raised $4,187.26 altogether.
11/12/2010: Hill community bowls for Operation Smile
On October 24, 2010, Hill students, faculty, and staff gathered at the Limerick Bowling Alley for a Bowl-a-Thon designed to raise funds for Operation Smile. The event was coordinated by Hill’s Operation Smile Club. Operation Smile is an organization that provides aid to those born with cleft palates and other facial deformities that could not otherwise afford treatment. Members of The Hill community were joined by students from Wyndcroft Middle School. The event raised $4,033.60 from pledges and raffle tickets, enough to fund 16 corrective surgeries.
11/16/2010: Hill families respond to need for clothing
On Friday, November 19, five Hill students took a minibus full of gently used clothing to the 12th and Marion Elementary School in nearby Reading, Pa., to donate the clothes to children in need. They were greeted by Principal M. Renee Billops and many curious children. The Hill became aware of the school’s need for clothing after a phone call from the elementary school’s parent coordinator Diana Rivera-O’Bryant, after a Hill parent suggested that she contact The Hill for help. The clothing drive was then organized by Marie Fechik-Kirk, The Hill’s High Meadows Foundation Chair of Sustainability.
2/4/2011: Hill participates in the Green Cup Challenge
For the fifth consecutive year, The Hill participated in the Green Cup Challenge, an interschool challenge to reduce the usage of water and electricity, and to encourage recycling. Between January 21 and February 18, Hill students, faculty, and staff turned off unused lights and raised awareness of what can be recycled. Even in the Dining Room, fewer tables were used during meals to reduce the amount of water and chemicals used to wash soiled tablecloths.
2/12/2011: Hill holds fourth annual Skate for a Cure
On Saturday, February 12, The Hill hosted its fourth annual “Skate for a Cure” fundraiser. The event was headed by Dylan Fox ’11, Marcello DeAngelis ’11, and Samantha Hernan ’11. Proceeds go to The American Cancer Society and The Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. The event was open to the public, and took place at the Edward Tuck Hall Arena. In addition to ice skating, attendance enjoyed basket raffles, t-shirt sales, and refreshments.
2/14/2011: Operation Smile Valentine fundraiser
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Hilltones and Hilltrebles, The Hill’s male and female a capella groups, traveled from classroom to classroom delivering “singing Valentines” to students and faculty. Carnations and roses were also sold as part of the fundraiser. Proceeds benefited Operation Smile, which aids those with cleft palates and other facial deformities.
3/30/2011: Fourth formers organize photo fair to benefit Travis Roy Foundation
On March 26, fourth form students held a “photo fair” to raise money for and awareness of the Travis Roy Foundation. For a $5 donation, students could be photographed with their favorite students and faculty members against a variety of unusual and entertaining backdrops. Food, music, and raffle prizes were also part of the event. Hill alumnus Rich Pentz ’99, a friend of the Roy family, offered to match the amount raised up to $1,000. The event raised $1,247.19. With Mr. Pentz’s contribution, The Hill donated $2,247.19 to the Travis Roy Foundation. The Travis Roy Foundation aids those with spinal cord injuries and their families. The foundation is named for Travis Roy, who was paralyzed by a spinal cord injury his freshman year of college. Mr. Roy came to The Hill to give a talk and greatly inspired the class of 2013.
4/29/2011: The Hill celebrates Earth Day
The Hill celebrated Earth Day the weekend of Friday, April 29. The activities began with the planting of herbs in the Headmaster’s Garden, followed by a buffet dinner called the “150 mile meal” that featured only ingredients grown within 150 miles of Pottstown. Friday evening, Hill alumnus Jason Ingle ’93 spoke to students about sustainable farming. On Saturday, students were invited to Mr. Ingle’s Greener Partners’ Organic Farm in Collegeville, Pa., where they helped out with planting and weeding. On Sunday afternoon, members of The Hill’s sustainability club sold Bobbles, self-filtering, reusable water bottles.
4/30/2011: Hill raises money for Japan
Together, Hill students and faculty raised over $1,600 to benefit victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Paul Schiller ’14 organized a snack bar shortly after the March 11 disaster. With the help of volunteers, Paul’s efforts raised over $500. Shortly thereafter, Paul joined the Japan Relief Committee along with Maho Sakuma ’12, Colleen Berry ’12, Ji Park ’12, Hana Betts ’11, Kristine Nakao ’12, Nicole Boardman ’12, Jaime Velasco ’11, Connor Murdock ’11, Kier Macartney ’11, and faculty members Rev. John Houghton and Pete Hart. The committee sold red and white “Hope for Japan” wristbands. Furthermore, the committee hosted an event the evening of Saturday, April 30, in which participants could sing karaoke, sample Japanese food, and learn Japanese calligraphy and origami. The wristband sales and Saturday event raised $1,100.
5/9/2011: Student Philanthropy Council awards 2011 grants
On Wednesday, April 27, representatives of The Hill School’s Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) presented checks totaling $10,000 to four local nonprofit organizations. The SPC was founded by Hill alumnus Charles A. Frank III, ’59 and his wife Betty in 2009. Hill student participants solicit and evaluate local nonprofit groups’ requests for funding, then award $10,000 total in grants. The organizations chosen this year to receive funding were the Freedom Valley YMCA, the Gallery School of Pottstown, the Tri-County Area YWCA, and Developmental Enterprises.