At Epstein Hillel School in Marblehead, every day is spent teaching, and living, the school’s core tenets of potential, identity, curiosity, intellect, compassion and community. The school empowers students to be individuals who are strong in their convictions and committed to helping others with the challenges they face.

On the day before Thanksgiving, the entire school, students and teachers alike, rolled up their collective sleeves for the annual Day of Service. The half-day program provided an exceptional opportunity for students to help those in their community and live the values of compassion and community.

While kindergarteners created centerpieces for the Thanksgiving meal at My Brother’s Table in Lynn, first graders delivered homemade dog toys and treats to Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem. Second graders measured ingredients to create jars of soup ready to be made by elderly residents in Marblehead, as well as young adults affiliated with the Haven Project in Lynn. Third graders made pies and lasagnas for residents of Plummer Youth Promise in Salem. Lastly, fourth graders, along with middle schoolers, partnered with SPUR to complete an extensive yard clean-up for two elderly residents of Marblehead and Swampscott who otherwise could not afford to have their yard cleaned for the upcoming winter season. After an hour, they each had 30 bags of leaves!

Each grade also hosted visitors from the organizations they supported and had a chance to ask questions and learn more. Throughout the day, EHS students thoroughly experienced the joy of giving back knowing that someone else’s day would be brighter because of their efforts. It was a very meaningful way to spend the half day of school before Thanksgiving.

Ellen Brown Ragland
Ellen Brown Ragland (Courtesy photo)

The Ellen Brown Ragland Social Action Fund was established by Frances and Sheldon Brown in loving memory of their beloved daughter, a Hillel graduate of 1969. Ellen was a kind and generous woman who cared deeply about social action and Shetland sheepdogs. She was the vice president of the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Southeast Florida. The fund was established in 2019 to support tikkun olam and social action projects at Epstein Hillel School.

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