In recent weeks, we have heard many stories of members of the Trinity College School community finding ways to give back during this time of global uncertainty. Not only are TCS parents, alumni and friends serving on the frontlines in fields such as health care, emergency and social services, but our staff and students are also doing their part to make the world a better place.
As part of the TCS Connect e-community, people have been sharing some of their ways of giving back through a Pay It Forward “padlet” website (click here to view screen captures from the site). For example, Old Girl Amy Steele ’93 has switched her custom leather handbag business to make face masks, while the Get Preloved clothing company, owned by a TCS parent, is donating a portion of sales to COVID-19 relief efforts. Student Tori Stewart wrote about her project for the Grade 12 Equity & Social Justice course, and how earlier this year she had fundraised and created hygiene kits which are now assisting underserved people in the Peterborough area. Through the padlet, our community is also sharing ideas for getting involved: shopping for those who must self-isolate or have difficulty getting out such as the elderly; making masks at home to donate to health care workers; or sending thank you notes to health care workers.
We’ve also learned of the important actions of our community members through the media. An example is Old Girl Katie McPherson ’01, who is working to keep vulnerable residents safe as the resilience office for the City of Vancouver (click here to read more), or the Picov family, who have donated to provide meals for staff at Pickering Hospital (click here for the full story).
These are just a few examples of the tremendous community effort taking place. At TCS, we have recently made a building owned by the School available to the local hospital should it be needed to house health care workers. It’s a small action, but one we hope will help health care workers as they undertake the vital work of keeping our community safe.
Have you found a way to “pay it forward,” or do you have an idea to share about how others can contribute, locally, nationally or globally? Tell us at servicelearning@tcs.on.ca!
