Mt. Hood Climb Service Day Offers Time for Reflection, Giving Back

On Wednesday, Mt. Hood Climb Service Day, the OES community reflected on its past, showed gratitude, and then helped others, giving back on campus and from home. While the community wasn’t gathered at the Belltower this year due to the pandemic, OES students, parents, staff, and faculty tuned in to a live broadcast of the ceremony followed by service projects benefiting the school and its neighbors.

“It is true that we are not all physically present here this morning at the Belltower,” Head Chaplain The Rev. Phillip Craig said in his opening remarks. “But we are all gathered together with the very same purpose we have embraced for 35 years—to remember, to honor, and to be thankful, mind and heart.”

Middle School Chaplain Mel Robinson offered a prayer. Then, the names of the nine OES students and faculty who tragically lost their lives on Mt. Hood in 1986 were read aloud by Craig.

Head of School Mo Copeland talked about the hopefulness she's witnessed recently, reminding her of the community's resiliency when challenging times have brought the school to a full stop.

“These are the beginnings of life that spring from the darkness,” Copeland said. “We are human and hope does return. Hope eventually grows into resilience.”

Students Owen R. '21, Nanati F. ‘22, and Sarah L. '22 spoke of their time giving back to various service organizations while at OES. Owen spoke of tutoring Spanish-speaking students at Whitford Elementary School. Nanati and Sarah spoke about their passion for keeping the earth clean and slowing climate change.

Craig concluded: “As our Belltower gathering draws to a close this day, we invite all of you to consider how you might offer your hands and hearts of love and service and not just on this day, but in all of your days to come.”

Upper Schoolers launched their new ongoing service project called Doorstep Donations. The program’s mission is to “support our suffering neighbors, as well as to inspire and empower youth to solve food crises within their communities.” Doorstep Donations’ Postmates-like service model allows contributors to donate non-perishable food from the safety of their homes by leaving food donations for others on their doorsteps.

The Middle School community made and donated 100 sack lunches to the Blanchet House, covering the organization’s lunch needs for the day. Sixth graders also helped maintain the Farris Hall Garden and wrote cards for a variety of organizations including Cards for Hospitalized Kids. The day kicked off a month of service in the Middle School, starting with the sack lunch drive, followed by a 10-day toothbrush drive for William Temple House, and collaborations with the Lower and Upper Schools for the Doorstep Donations program.

The Lower School was alive with service activities, as well. Fourth graders spent time making welcome signs for the Refugee Care Collective, fifth graders created posters in solidarity against anti-Asian American violence, and first graders cleaned and maintained the garden near Farris Hall.

As is tradition, Lower Schoolers finished their days with popsicles outside!

Way to use your power for good, Aardvarks!