The Iron-Giraffe Challenge

During the 2018-2019 school year, St. Mary of the Hills School conducted an all-school read of, “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park. This amazing true story shows the struggle of a young man growing up in a war-torn South Sudan in the late 1980’s. It also follows a young girl’s journey in 2009 as she walks eight hours a day in search of water so that she and her family can survive. The water she collects every day is muddy and bacteria-ridden, which leads to many diseases and even death. As the book unfolds, we begin to understand how a simple water well in one village could positively transform the lives of thousands. Unfortunately, South Sudan is still one of the world’s least developed countries and is currently experiencing a civil war with mass atrocities, coupled with a severe drought and famine. There are many innocent people living there who desperately need help.

Our school-wide theme during 2018-2019 was one of service. In connection with this theme and the main message from our all-school read, we participated in the “Iron Giraffe Challenge”. This challenge is part of the Water for South Sudan initiative and a direct challenge from the young man from the book, Salva Dut. Our hope was to raise $3000.00 to restore a well in South Sudan. Students brought in loose change to fill gallon water bottles in their classrooms, and we also organized a walk to raise funds. The junior high students obtained sponsors for each lap they walked with a gallon bottle of water on their heads. The younger students walked with a twelve- or sixteen-ounce bottle on their heads. Families and friends also donated.  At the end of the school year in 2019, we reached our goal and raised the $3,000 for the Well in South Sudan!

We received a letter on May 1, 2020, thanking us for our support and informing us that the money we raised was used.  The Water for South Sudan has drilled a well in our honor! They sent a letter along with some pictures to share their gratitude for our support over the years. They thanked us for all we have done to water the seeds of change in South Sudan.

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WATER FOR SOUTH SUDAN

Shattuck Shelter

Each month a grade donates food for the Shattuck Shelter.

The Walk for Haiti

Each year we raise money for Haiti and do a walk to raise awareness!

Grandparents/Veterans Day

Every year we honor our grandparents and veterans by dedicating a day to them!

Catholic Charities Food Drive

It's our pleasure to work with Catholic Charities to raise food!

Socks and Sandwiches for the Homeless

Socks and Sandwiches for the Homeless is an annual event where we bring in socks to donate and make sandwiches for the homeless!

Boston for Dominica

This year we raised money for Boston for Dominica, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the people of Dominica recover from natural disasters.

Community Outreach

When our Seventh Grade class was in Fifth Grade, they wrote letters to a cancer patient who eventually passed away. After her husband found the courage to go through her things, he found the letters again and he decided to thank the class by sending them a letter and some money. The students used the money to plant a tree in her memory. Rest in Peace! #SMHMilton