1-858-459-3773

7380 Girard Avenue, La Jolla

Top
 
Gillispie School / Our Community / Community Service
Community Service at Gillispie

community service

Service to others is in the DNA of Gillispie School!

Gillispie began as a small cottage that served hot meals to the underprivileged children of single mothers and working parents in La Jolla in the lean years of the Great Depression, and the spirit of service still runs strong in our community.

Each year, every grade level at Gillispie participates in a community service project with a chosen charitable organization. These projects serve as real-life applications of the Gillispie Values that help aid in creating forward-thinking individuals of character.

In this way, graduating students have participated in up to 15 meaningful service projects.

In addition to these grade-level projects, Gillispie School parents, faculty, staff, and students come together to participate in a number of community service initiatives throughout the year.

Gillispie School

Organizations we have worked with in the past include Helen Woodward Animal Shelter, Vincent de Paul Village Library, Vincent de Paul Village (food service to those in need), Kids’ NewsDay for Rady Children’s Hospital, Operation Thin Mint (Girl Scout troop support for U.S. Military), Basket Brigade (Thanksgiving food baskets), Operation Shoebox (Halloween candy for troops), Rady Children’s Hospital Teen Lounge, Armed Services YMCA of San Diego, Neighborhood Caroling for the Holidays, Project Concern International Walk for Water, Free the Children (Vow of Silence), Project Wildlife, San Diego Food Bank, San Diego Blood Bank Blood Drive, Cancer Prevention/Education Fair (led by students for students), Beach Cleanups, Plastics and Cans Recycling, and Tijuana Orphanage Pen Pal Exchange, Supply, and Food Drive.

Helping Others During the 22-23 School Year

kids stacking produce

Gillispie students and families came together to make a difference through projects coordinated by our Community Relations Committee, including:

  • Sorting 13,000 pounds of produce at Feeding San Diego during December and April volunteer sessions, enough to help feed 4,500 families!
  • Creating handmade birthday cards for seniors and Vets through Meals On Wheels and Veterans Affairs 
  • Donating gently used backpacks and new blankets to St Vincent de Paul 
  • Collecting and sorting over 20,000 Legos for children at Father Joe’s Villages!

Projects such as these serve as real-life applications of the Gillispie values, and we know that living these values while young helps develop global citizens who problem-solve, collaborate, innovate, and empathize.

Skip to content