By: Lila Al-Omoush

This spring, the Rye Country Day Public Purpose program has brought students, faculty members, and families together through the Walk-A-Thon and the Blood Drive, while also preparing for the upcoming Community Dinner. Although each event looks different, all three are rooted in the RCDS ideal of “Not for Self, but for Service,” ultimately giving students opportunities to support causes beyond themselves and engage with the broader community. 

Public Purpose director Ms. Drago explained that each event serves a distinct and important purpose within the community. The Walk-A-Thon allows Public-Purpose clubs to raise money for their causes. Students walk about three laps around East Campus, and participants and supporters pledge a certain amount for each walker. The structure makes the event both accessible and impactful, allowing students and the broader community to contribute in simple ways. The walk is a great way for students to support causes they care about, while giving clubs opportunities to spread their purpose. This year, Feeding Westchester had the most participants, at 52. Ms. Drago said, “Organizing the Walk-A-Thon requires a bit of planning. We have to manage sponsorship forms, coordinate logistics, and arrange meetings with club leaders. The Public Purpose Student Leadership Board also contributes a lot by recruiting participants and helping people get excited about the walk.” 

The Blood Drive offers another way to serve the broader community. Student Leader Tancrede Weinstein ‘27 explained that “The goal of the drive is to raise awareness about the necessity of blood. The drive is also pretty straightforward, since our community partner, the New York Blood Center, provides the medical equipment and support.” The student leaders support the event by managing sign-ups, recruiting volunteers, and raising awareness at community meetings. The drive is a great way for all students to get involved, because the student leaders emphasize that you don’t have to donate to support, you can also volunteer to support donors. In this year’s drive, Mr. Yellen, an Upper School math teacher, reached a donation milestone of 25 donations. Other milestones include Mr. Heintz, Upper School assistant principal, with 20 donations, and Mr. Halverson, Upper School learning specialist,  with 17. Ms. Drago emphasized that the drive also teaches students how service can be accessible, and it encourages them to build the habit of giving that can continue beyond their time at RCDS.

Lastly, the Community Dinner brings students, families, faculty, and community members together to celebrate and highlight student work. Unlike the Walk-A-Thon and Blood Drive, this event includes all three divisions, making the event diverse and heartfelt. Ms. Drago described it as a joyful event where “the vibes are high,” with students and guests enjoying music and meals while learning about different Public Purpose projects. The dinner also includes a gallery walk, so students can display their work and spread awareness for their cause. 

Together, these three events showcase how Public Purpose at RCDS creates different pathways for students to get involved. They can give through sponsorship, time, or even blood donations. Each form of service matters, as Ms. Drago emphasized that students are participating in “the act of giving themselves.” Most importantly, these events encourage students to build habits of engagement that extend beyond one day. Through these experiences, RCDS students continue to live out the meaning of “Not for Self, but for Service.”