November 26, 2019 Dear Latin families, In the second year of Hawks Feed Hungry Hearts, our All-School Service Learning Project continues to focus on food insecurity in Charlotte. This year's student steering committee, consisting of more than twenty Upper School students, chose to differentiate their efforts by emphasizing engagement. Inspired by the celebration of our 50th Anniversary, they committed to creating at least 50 opportunities for members of the Latin community to personally engage in addressing food insecurity through existing partnerships and new connections. These student leaders are collaborating with faculty and staff across all three divisions to create and to help facilitate meaningful experiences for students of all ages. They are also partnering with the school's Marketing and Communications staff to increase awareness of food insecurity and the opportunities for making a difference. Consider the Founders Day Blessing Bags project. Students and employees assembled bags of commonly-needed items for people facing food insecurity. An encouraging, thoughtful message or artistic expression of support was created and added to each bag. The goal was to fill 1,970 bags in honor of the school's founding year, and with your help, we exceeded that goal.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the Hawks Feed Hungry Hearts service project is that it is student-led. This experience has a significant impact on its student leaders and committee members: The Charlotte Latin All-School Service Project for the 2019-2020 school year, Hawks Feed Hungry Hearts, is not only a school-wide, but a community-wide initiative. Being involved with such a wonderful program that fosters growth through service learning has exceeded my expectations and revealed how a school can be united through a common cause.
- Harrison Klingman '22
It has been awesome to see the Latin community come together and support some truly worthy causes. From the Faculty/Staff Fun Run, to the more than 2,000 Blessing Bags filled on Founders Day, it brings me great joy to know that we can make a difference. In addition, the All-School Service Project Committee has doubled in size and the support from the student community this year has truly blown me away. I cannot wait to see the impact we will make in the coming months.
- Gracie Colombo '20 As a newcomer to the Latin community, the fact that our students take the initiative to organize and execute this project is impressive. True to our service learning commitment, we are developing young leaders who will influence the community, our nation, and the world. As you and your family gather this Thanksgiving season, do so with gratitude for all that we have and all that we may give. Talk with your children about the realities of hunger, which affect so many in Charlotte.
Thank you for your continued support of Hawks Feed Hungry Hearts and the hard-working young men and women leading the cause at Latin. Be on the lookout for the 50 opportunities of engagement that will continue throughout this school year. Let these 50 acts be a reminder of the 50 years of Charlotte Latin School and the countless blessings of our current Hawk families and all of those who came before us.
With gratitude, Charles D. Baldecchi
https://www.latin50.com/Charlotte Latin School | 9502 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277 |