On a bright and sunny Saturday in April 2026, the third annual Day of Service brought the Chapin community together for a day centered around collaboration and meaningful impact. Students, families, alums and members of the Professional Community gathered both in and outside of Chapin, united by a shared commitment to support organizations and individuals in need across New York City.
The Day of Service Committee — Xiomara Hall (Associate Head of School), Lulú Cossich (Associate Head of Lower School), Trude Goodman (Associate Head of Middle School) and Liz Solis (Associate Head of Upper School for Culture and Community) — worked thoughtfully to design a day that offered a wide range of opportunities for participants of all ages.
As a result, classrooms inside 100 East End Avenue were transformed into working spaces with eager volunteers looking forward to participating.
In one room, students worked closely with former Chapin student Annabelle Barth, the Founder of G.L.O.W., to create bracelets for women affected by domestic violence. As they crafted each bracelet, participants learned about the organization’s mission.
Meanwhile, down the hall, volunteers led by Class 10 student Alice L. partnered with Refugee School Supplies to pack over 80 brand-new backpacks with school supplies to students who are refugees, helping to give them access to the tools they need to succeed academically. The volunteers also wrote cards with supportive and heartfelt messages that were distributed to the families.
In another space, Class 11 student Serena B. helped lead an activity where families assembled craft kits, including dreamcatchers and neon buddy kits, to bring comfort and creativity to children staying at the Ronald McDonald House of New York City where they are undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses.
Class 10 student Anaya K. guided participants in creating colorful bracelets and personalized cards for children supported by Smile Train, an organization that provides cleft and palate repair surgery.
At the same time and in collaboration with Mentor A Promise, Class 11 student Yaejin A.led a session where families assembled gift baskets for graduating students experiencing homelessness or living in shelters. These baskets included both practical and fun items, helping to celebrate an important milestone for these students.
In Gym 1, the sense of teamwork was palpable as families from all divisions worked side by side with Professional Community members to prepare, pack and organize for distribution over 600 sandwiches for Grassroots Grocery. Afterward, many families then volunteered to deliver the boxes to community fridges across Manhattan, Long Island and the Bronx.
As families entered Chapin, Upper School students could be seen hosting a bake sale to raise funds for SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities), in Nairobi, Kenya, and Grassroots Grocery. Professional Community members also sold Day of Service t-shirts.
A number of projects also took place off campus, allowing participants to engage directly with communities across the city.
For example, volunteers joined a “Produce Party” with Grassroots Grocery where they sorted and packed over 12,000 pounds of fresh produce that was to be delivered afterward to pre-assigned community sites in need. One Love Community Fridge also hosted volunteers who packed 150+ bags filled with fruit (apples, oranges, bananas, lemon and limes) and granola bars that they delivered at community fridges in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.
In Harlem, volunteers spent time at the Robert Clinkscales Community Garden where they cleared debris, raked leaves, pulled weeds and learned from garden members about the importance of green spaces.
Just across the street from Chapin, in Carl Schurz Park, another large group of volunteers focused on clearing park areas and moving mulch to support landscaping efforts in this beloved park. Students of all ages worked together and took pride in contributing to a space they use so often.
In the week leading up to the event, the Chapin community also collected hygiene and sanitary products to donate to Camp Friendship, a nonprofit organization that operates a food pantry and youth programs in Brooklyn communities. On our Day of Service, volunteers delivered these products for distribution to grocery stores, homebound senior citizens and families with young children.
Whether assembling care packages, packing food or working outdoors, a strong sense of community and purpose was felt among the participants working together to make a difference.
We are so grateful to all who contributed to this year’s Day of Service and helped to make it a huge success.
Browse more photos HERE. (Click on the brackets in the upper right corner to view the photos in full resolution.)
