Helping others is a longstanding tradition at Steward, and Spartans of all ages are encouraged to make meaningful connections with the wider community. In addition, inspiration and care & respect are essential parts of Steward’s strategic plan, Compass 2028. A major initiative in the strategic plan is expanded service learning opportunities, including a schoolwide project.

A recent partnership with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU paved the way for Spartans to make authentic connections toward a common purpose. The Warm Wishes drive, which took place in December, was facilitated by Coordinator of Service Learning and Engagement Alexa Bolt in collaboration with the Middle School Student Council Association. Over several weeks, students in all divisions, plus faculty and staff, collected items (including books, toys, and art supplies) for activity kits that were assembled on campus and delivered to children being treated at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. In all, Steward donated 240 activity kits to the hospital!

Inside and outside the classroom, Spartans in all divisions learn that they have the power to shape the future. 

The idea for the Warm Wishes drive came from Porter Cram ’29, vice president of the Middle School Student Council Association. “I pitched the idea at our next Student Council meeting,” he said. “The original idea was rough around the edges, but after working with my peers, teachers, and Ms. Bolt, it came to life.” He added, “When Spartans band together like this, something magical happens.” 

Nathan Gu ’25 helped with the Warm Wishes drive as an Upper School representative and a member of Steward’s National Honor Society chapter. 

“I was tasked with creating and distributing posters throughout the Upper School,” said Nathan, who also collected and packaged donated materials. “Community service is important to me because it means giving back to the people and places that have brought me to where I am today. When Spartans work together toward a common goal, a community that is profoundly supportive and stronger than one could ever comprehend shines through. Though we may not be able to accomplish everything, we continue to work with the utmost dedication and care, only finishing our work when we can see a lasting impact.”

In a speech presented to students in all divisions, Ian Joyner ’29, a Middle School Student Council Association representative, shared that he had gone through cancer “without a Warm Wishes drive. To me, community service means that you do something for more than just one person … a whole community to be exact. Spartans don’t give up. We work together and we finish the job.”

“Through hard work, students discover that their acts of kindness can elicit real change,” said Ms. Bolt. “They exercise their ‘empathy muscles,’ work together, and learn that they can make their community stronger." She added, “This drive was also special because it included multiple learning opportunities. Students could see that they weren’t just giving items; they understood why those items mattered and how their act of giving could bring about positive outcomes for students their age. I am so proud of our Spartans, and blown away by the Steward community’s generosity! A special shoutout to our Lower Schoolers, who won an extra dress-down day for assembling 70 kits — the most in any division.”