Community Service

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Relay For Life

Relay for Life is a unique, challenging and fun way to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Students sell luminaries dedicated to cancer survivors and as memorials for cancer victims. Funds raised are used for lifesaving research, cancer prevention, early detection, advocacy, and patient services.
Hours Earned: 3-5

Red Cross Blood Drives

Give the gift of life! Blood drives are held in September, January and April. Donors must be seventeen years of age (can be 16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and cannot be scheduled to participate in an athletic event on the day of the Blood Drive.
Hours Earned: 1 (each time)

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Christmas Toy Drive

Porter-Gaud students show their generosity by bringing new toys for needy children. Volunteers decorate and place toy boxes in classrooms in early December. Student volunteers collect the toys at the end of the drive and spend an afternoon sorting them for various organizations.

Hours Earned: 3

Mentoring Program

This program is designed to reach out to students in need of additional mentoring within the Lowcountry. Projects vary so listen carefully for announcements about opportunities.

Paint It Palmetto

This after school program offers an opportunity for elementary school students to use their imaginations in creating artwork. The students experience the joy of working with their hands in various mediums in the fine arts. The group meets Mondays at 4pm at the Cannon Street YMCA.

Hours Earned: 1 (each visit)

Rise Up and Read (RUAR)

Students work on a one on one tutoring basis with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who attend Memminger Elementary School helping to develop strong learning skills in reading, math and vocabulary.

Hours Earned: 2 (each time)

Meeting Street Academy

This program mentors MSA's after school program and helps support the school during special events.

Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children, and children recovering from illnesses. Volunteers help provide meals and fun activities for the families staying in the house.

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Recycling

The entire school participates in the Charleston County Recycling in Schools Project. Student volunteers empty recycling bins for their assigned areas on a weekly basis and deliver large bins to the curb for bi-weekly pick up. Porter-Gaud's recycling program was recognized as one of the top four in the area and we plan to build this program.

Hours Earned: 10 for the year

Pet Helpers

Volunteers help with the dogs and cats at the Pet Helpers Adoption Shelter on James Island – cleaning, playing, and fulfilling other needs of the shelter. Students also help organize collection drive for the animals and volunteer for their annual Fur Ball event.

Hours Earned: varies

Beach Sweep & Adopt-A-Highway

Help keep your beaches and roads clean.

Hours Earned: 2 (each time)

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Habitat for Humanity

Students work with Sea Island Habitat to assist with the construction of new homes for people who are less fortunate. No experience necessary - engineers are on site to train new workers. Volunteers work on houses in all stages of construction. Grab a hammer and come on out to Johns Island the third Saturday of every month.

Hours Earned: 3 (each time)

Crisis Ministries

Are you a "Morning Person?" Volunteers meet once a month, to cook and serve breakfast at the Interfaith Crisis Ministry Homeless Shelter on Meeting Street. Students are accompanied by a different faculty volunteer each month. Cooking, serving and clean-up are accomplished in time to go out for breakfast with fellow volunteers and arrive at school early for class. (Fourth Wednesday of each month)

Hours Earned: 2 (each time)

Food Distribution

This service project includes collecting and distributing food for World Food Day, the Easter Food Drive, and the Souper Bowl. Volunteers will collect food from the classrooms on the scheduled food collection days and help load it for delivery. Students raise money for the Easter Food Drive through dress down days and the faculty-student basketball game. Student volunteers unload the Piggly Wiggly grocery truck for the Easter Food Distribution, pack the bags for each family and deliver the food to families on James, Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.

Hours Earned: varies

Water Missions International

Approximately 25,000 people still die each day from a lack of clean drinking water. Volunteer your time on Saturday mornings and for special events to fulfill their mission that no person should live without safe drinking water.

Hours Earned: varies

Clothing Drives

Several times throughout the school year, Porter-Gaud will come together to support the needs of various organizations by collecting gently used clothing and other items. To help keep costs down for parents, and raise money for the community, we hold a used uniform drive the first Thursday each August. Hours Earned: 1

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Special Olympics

Special Olympics offer an opportunity to interact with and support athletes with special needs. This is a fun-filled, uplifting experience. Porter Gaud students work with the athletes in the bowling competition one Saturday in February and during other possible events throughout the year.

Hours Earned: 3

Miracle League & Healing Farm Ministries

Volunteer with two incredibly important organizations. Miracle League offers recreational opportunities for children with physical and mental challenges (located in West Ashley). Healing Farm Ministries fosters hope, faith, and love in the special needs community at Thornhill Farms in Summerville. Work closely with children and adults with special needs or volunteer in fundraising events for these organizations.

Hours Earned: varies

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Bouquets of Cheer

Bring fresh, donated flowers to hospitals or nursing homes. Volunteers meet one Saturday morning a month to design and construct new bouquets of flowers and then deliver them during short visits to patients or residents.

Hours Earned: 3

Elderly Friendships

End weeks on a high note by visiting with the elderly throughout the Charleston area. We will visit a variety of resident homes, so listen carefully to the announcements.

Race for the Cure

The annual Komen Charleston Race for the Cure, the largest 5K race in South Carolina, invites you and your family to participate in this fun and inspirational event on October 18th. The Charleston race includes a 5K Co-Ed Run/Walk and a one mile Family Fun Run/Walk. The Race is held on Daniel Island. The mission of Race for the Cure is to eradicate breast cancer as a life threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.

Hours Earned: 2

Relay for Life

This is a unique and challenging way to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Students walk the track in Park West all night to represent that cancer never sleeps. Funds are raised to support life saving research, cancer prevention, and early detection. Relay is Friday, April 27, 2012.