Woodlands Academy students help those who help others

Service is an integral part of a Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart education. Goal III of all Sacred Heart schools is “to educate to a social awareness which impels to action.” With this in mind, the all-girls college-prep high school in Lake Forest held its second Service Day of the school year on Feb. 23. Sophomores and seniors lent a helping hand at some area service organizations. Meanwhile, freshmen and juniors – who helped in the community during November’s Service Day – participated in retreat activities this time.

“We do this twice each year with the hope that the girls gain a greater understanding of themselves and see the difference they can make in the lives of others,” Deborah MacAyeal, Woodlands Academy’s service coordinator, said. “I’m so very proud of our sophomores and seniors who did truly awesome work during this year’s final Service Day.”

Sophomores spent the day volunteering at Lake Bluff-based Bernie’s Book Bank and the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s North Suburban Distribution Center in Lake Forest. Bernie’s Book Bank distributes quality children’s books throughout Chicagoland free of charge to empower children to gain knowledge and strengthen reading skills through book ownership. Northern Illinois Food Bank focuses on delivering food and healthy eating services as part of the national Feeding America network. It provides some 250,000 meals daily to residents of 13 northeastern Illinois counties.

Woodlands Academy seniors participated in Service Day by sorting and packaging donations at Cradles to Crayons in Chicago that will be sent to needy children. Cradles to Crayons provides essential items free of charge to children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations. These items include books, toys and children’s clothing.

Woodlands Academy’s service program seeks to raise students’ consciousness about the poor, the marginalized and the disadvantaged while encouraging them to promote social justice and social responsibility. Woodlands students must perform at least 70 hours of community service to graduate. Many become passionate about service and far exceed the required minimum hours.

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Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It’s part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy’s identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org