Siena Blog

Siena students have always been dedicated to community service and other kinds of volunteering. Given the many pressing needs of frontline workers, small business owners, and more during the COVID-19 pandemic, Siena’s students have been especially active in the past year. 

In the words of one high school student who used his spare time to make 3D printed face shields for frontline workers last year, “I wanted to do my part to help medical professionals who are working to save lives.” Many in our community have felt similarly compelled to do what they can to help others.

Siena Student Volunteers and Community Service

Siena students participate in school–based community service programs while earning service-learning credit through independent work and internships. Students continue to be good citizens and stewards of their communities in various ways:

• In November 2020, one middle schooler prepared food bags for Small Things Matter, and two others cleaned up a stretch of Little Falls Parkway.
• Also in November 2020, Siena families generously donated food (228 pounds of it!) to Nourish Now to help members of our greater community who were experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season. Another food drive is planned for the spring.
• In January 2021, Siena’s Help Club helped raise over $1,000 for the Holy Cross Silver Spring Health Clinic.
• A middle schooler continued Siena’s tradition of volunteering for MLK Day by making chew toys for service dogs.

As part of service learning this school year, Siena students have also helped out many organizations in the DC area, including: 

• Anacostia Watershed Society
• Bretton Woods Recreation Center 
• Empowering the Ages
• Link Generations
• Montgomery County Board of Elections 
• Rockville Weed Warrior Project 
• St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry 
• Temple Sinai 
• A Wider Circle

When submitting their service learning hours, students include a written reflection on these questions:

• What need did your service address?
• How did your action benefit individuals in the community?
• What did you learn about yourself as a result of your actions? 

Volunteering and Service Opportunities for Students

Anyone wanting to impact Siena’s local community can explore options through Montgomery County’s volunteer center. Siena is also a drop-off location for DC Diaper Bank, which always needs baby supplies for local families. 

Students could further expand their volunteering with these virtual opportunities:

• United Nations
• The Smithsonian
• Catchafire
• Project Gutenberg
• Translators without Borders

The past year has reaffirmed how important community bonds and service are. While handling their academic and extracurricular responsibilities, Siena students have also maintained close connections to their communities through a wide variety of volunteering and community-building experiences.