Each year, St. Luke’s Society offers a variety of holiday service opportunities, including Salvation Army bell-ringing, the toy drive, and the food and clothing drive. These annual events help the school give back to the local community during the holiday season.

Volunteers who participate in the bell-ringing go into Canaan and ring bells to raise money for the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is a Christian charity organization, and the money raised from this event goes towards supporting local community members in need and funding social services, from homeless shelters to medical programs.

Thea Dunckel ’26, a two-year participant, said, “Everyone you meet is really kind. I still remember how someone approached us and said, ‘You people saved my life and my family’s life when we didn’t have anything,’ and then donated $50. He was so thankful. It can be easy to feel isolated from the surrounding community, because we mostly stay on campus. Volunteering is a good way to connect and engage with others in an important and meaningful way.”

The toy drive began in 2017. St. Luke’s collects the Christmas wishlists of 10-15 local children in need and creates an online registry. Community members can purchase a gift for one of these children with the click of a button. Charlotte Wood ’25, co-head of St. Luke’s, said, “Most of us here have not had a Christmas where we have gone without a gift. Gift-giving is an essential part of the holidays, and as a community, we need to do what we can to spread the joy we’ve had.” According to the non-profit Connecticut Voices for Children, about 12% of children in the state live below the poverty line. The toys will be donated to the town of Canaan.

Originally part of the toy drive, the food and clothing drive recently became its own event. Mrs. Caroline Kenny-Burchfield, director of community partnerships, said, “When Hotchkiss community members outgrow clothing or have unused food before departing for the winter holiday, they can donate to families in need.” Boxes are stationed in dorms and in the main building to collect donations.

Mrs. Burchfield said, “These initiatives reflect our community’s wish to share our good fortune by giving back. Generosity, compassion and kindness are byproducts of the holiday season, often rooted in cultural and religious values of gratitude, appreciation, and the wish to spread joy and help those in need. These efforts began and continue because the community wants to help and offer appreciation to the community that supports us.”

Everyone is encouraged to take part in St. Luke’s service opportunities this holiday season and beyond.