Community Service History

All five divisions of Woodward Academy have teamed up to sponsor three Academy-wide service projects. These three service projects hold significant historical value in the life of Woodward Academy’s commitment to service. In addition, these three projects reflect Woodward’s commitment to engaging in service locally, regionally, and internationally.

Listed below is a brief history of Woodward’s commitment to each of these projects.

Middle School Early Entrepreneurs Raise Funds for Terranova

Middle School students in Brian Sorrow's Social Studies classes embraced an innovative project idea brought to them by their teacher earlier this school year - raise funds for Woodward's Zambian sister school, the Terranova School, without asking family members for direct contributions. Instead, the Early Entrepreneurs found ways to earn money by selling goods or services.

They learned lessons along the way. By February, they only had managed to make $200. But students picked up their efforts and, on May 10 at a Middle School assembly, presented President Stuart Gulley with a check for $10,890 to provide fresh water to villagers in the area of the Terranova School, where access to water is scarce. The students found many different ways of earning money, including babysitting, working in an animal clinic part-time, holding a bake sale, selling socks and selling bowls made from recycled magazines.

Dr. Gulley challenged the entire Middle School student body to bring in $10 of their own money on Friday, May 11, to earn an out-of-uniform day and increase contributions for Terranova. By combining those proceeds with the Early Entrepreneurs project income and funds raised by the Middle School Green Team, Woodward hopes to provide fresh water as well as new dormitory housing to replace grass huts at Terranova this summer, says George Dietz, Middle School Assistant Principal and the coordinator for several years of summer trips to Terranova.
Junior Selected as Finalist for Woodrow Wilson Service Award

Woodward Academy junior Mary Helen deGolian was selected as one of six finalists for the Woodrow Wilson Community Service Award, given by the Princeton Club of Georgia. Mary Helen was chosen for her volunteer work of teaching a dance class at the Jesse Draper Boys & Girls Club in East Point.

Established in 1985, the Woodrow Wilson Community Service Award honors Atlanta area high school juniors who, through community involvement and personal initiative, best exemplify the ideals of service and volunteerism espoused by Woodrow Wilson, former President of the United States of America and of Princeton University.

The 2012 prize winner will be announced at an awards presentation on May 2 at the Georgia State Capitol, where each finalist will be recognized for their service in their respective counties.
Rockin' Readers Book Club Raises Money for Cancer

The Rockin' Readers book club recently donated $600 to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. The students in the book club, hailing from six different metro Atlanta schools, raised the money after reading the book, "The Lemondade War." Book club founder and Woodward parent, Karen Sard, along with fellow Woodward parent, Laura Shir, encouraged the book club to have a lemonade stand after they read the book and donate all of the money to charity. Woodward Academy book club participants include Brooke Sard, Hayden Twiss, Molly Shir, Elle Roberts, Kelsi Patel, Caitlin Cochran, and Olivia Zintak.
2012 Walk-a-thon

Thanks to the very generous contributions of 465 student and faculty members, the Upper School has raised over $30,000 for the Jesse Draper Boys and Girls Club during the Walk-a-thon on March 30. This will be combined with the monies from the Primary, Lower and Middle Schools and presented to the Boys and Girls Club. Thanks to all of those involved in making this event very successful!
Students Walk for Jesse Draper Boys & Girls Club

Students from across the Academy raised fund by participating in the 18th annual Jesse Draper Boys & Girls Club Walk-a-thon on Friday, March 30, in support of the club neighboring Woodward's campus. Students from the Primary, Lower, Middle and Upper Schools participated in the fundraising walk.
Woodward Cares Sends Girl Scout Cookies to Troops

Upper School teacher Sandy Adamek coordinates "Woodward Cares," a program that sends care packages to alumni in military service. Mrs. Adamek was recently contacted by Capt. Andrew Lane '91, a member of the GA Army National Guard, who arranged for Woodward to receive Girl Scout cookies that were donated to soldiers through Operation Sandbox GA (an organization dedicated to supporting America's troups through the sending of care packages). Capt. Lane facilitated the donation of 1080 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for the Woodward Cares program.

In addition to sending the cookies to Woodward alumni in the service, Mrs. Adamek will be sending boxes of cookies to the Wounded Warriors Battalion at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Georgia.
February Blood Drive

Thanks to all the students, faculty and volunteers who helped with the blood drive on February 21. Woodward was able to help collect 51 pints of blood which will help 153 people.
Upper School and Primary School Joint Service Project

On Friday, February 10, Upper School service club officers and Primary School third grade character builders worked together in a joint service project to make 400 sandwiches for the Open Door Community shelter in Atlanta.
Woodward North 6th Grader Moved by My House Visit

Woodward North sixth grader Trinity F. was so moved by the school's December visit to My House that she told her parents she did not want anything for Christmas because there are so many children in need of help. Trinity insisted that her mother go back to My House with her to visit the children during winter break. While visiting My House, Trinity had the opportunity to learn more about each baby and child.

Trinity was presented with the Character Award for Compassion at a recent Woodward North school assembly.
Lower School Students 'Put Cancer to Bed'

As a reward for their tireless fundraising efforts on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, most Lower School students will wear pajamas to school on Friday, January 20. The Lower School dubbed this year's campaign, "Putting Cancer to Bed," and has raised $7,423.69 with participation from 88% of the students. Woodward has contributed more than $26,000 to LLS since 2007. Woodward is one of the top five fundraising schools in Georgia.