By Mrs. Margaret Price, MVA Assistant Dean of Students for Multiculturalism, Leadership, and Student Programs
Twenty-five Upper School students spent their morning volunteering during the MLK Day of Service project hosted at Montverde Academy. Cynde Lewis, an Advent Health volunteer, and Lindsey Stover, the former Director of Volunteer services at Advent Health, hosted a service project in Lindor Hall Gym. Cynde’s daughter, Michelle Lewis, who helps implement the processes for completing the projects efficiently when working with small groups, also helped host the project.
The goal for this Day of Service was to create no-sew plush hearts and friendship bracelets for Valentine’s Day gifts for patients in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) at Advent Health. This unit has approximately 44 beds for patients between the ages of one and 16. Students who had extra time also created mini pom-pom toys to brighten patients’ meal trays or beds.
Cynde stated that the MVA students were focused and deeply invested in their work. Each student wrote a note and words of encouragement to kids and families in the intensive care unit. They created something that all ages could enjoy. Cynde shared that she enjoys using her gift of hospitality and acts of service to encourage others, and she always asks, “What can I do for somebody else to put a smile on their face?”
These Advent Health volunteers will return to campus in February to host a Day of Remembrance Service Project in the Upper School and the Middle School. The students will create cardstock and tissue paper flowers for the Advent Health remembrance ceremony. The flowers will be planted in the Advent Health garden and then taken home by the families after the ceremony. The Middle School students will create colorful suncatchers that will also serve as gifts for those families, offering a symbol of light and hope.
Lower School students also volunteered during the MLK Day of Service, proving that individuals are never too young or small to make a difference. Fourth-grader Arianna Sweredoski and her second-grade sister, Adalyn, volunteered with US Hunger, helping to provide meals for those in need.
Reflecting on their experience, Arianna shared, “I packed meals for the LA fire victims.” Adalyn added, “I helped people in need.”
Through their compassion and hard work, Montverde Academy students of all ages honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, turning a day of remembrance into a day of meaningful action and service.
