Gillispie Gives Back
A Legacy Of Giving
Service to others is embodied in our philosophy.
It all began during the Great Depression when a small cottage on our campus served hot meals to children in need. This spirit of compassion continues to this day.
Every year, each grade level tackles a real-world community service project.
Partnering with local organizations like the San Diego Blood Bank, Feeding San Diego, Lucky Duck Foundation, Urban Street Angels, and Ronald McDonald House, students put our Gillispie Values into action. By graduation, they'll have participated in up to 15 meaningful community service projects, developing empathy and a lifelong commitment to making a difference.
Read about how Gillispie School's third graders make a difference through their Annual Blood Drive.
Because it takes a village...
Our faculty, staff, students, and parents join forces throughout the year for even more service initiatives. From beach cleanups to clothing drives, our community is committed to making a positive impact on San Diego and beyond.
Read about how Gillispie School's second graders honored Dr. King’s legacy with a day of service.
Making a Difference
Our community came together in 2024-2025 to create positive change! Led by our Community Relations Committee, students and families participated in impactful community service projects that put our values into action.
Here are just a few of the projects we participated in:
Spreading Cheer To Local Youth & Families
During the 2024 holiday season, we supported Urban Street Angels and Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing and support for families with hospitalized children. Students helped fill 130 stockings with essentials and treats, spreading cheer to local youth and families.
Protecting Our Coastline Together
Gillispie families, students, and staff volunteered to support a Surfrider Foundation Beach Cleanup in March 2025. They helped remove trash and raise awareness about environmental stewardship and the importance of doing our part to protect oceans and marine life from pollution.
Helping Our Neighbors
Our student and family volunteers sorted over 10,000 pounds of produce at Feeding San Diego, helping thousands of San Diego families in need. Our community also partnered with Lucky Duck Foundation, assembling over 1,500 essential food and hydration bags and creating dozens of hand-made “notes of support” for our unsheltered neighbors.
Supporting Our Neighbors: Wildfire Relief Donation Drive
In response to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025, Gillispie School organized a donation station to support displaced families. Our community came together with compassion, contributing essential items delivered to the YMCA and Pasadena Convention Center for distribution. We stood in solidarity, offering heartfelt support to those affected by the tragedy.
These projects put our values into practice, helping our students become responsible and compassionate global citizens.
JOIN Us!
Gillispie parents and guardians interested in working on service projects with our school may contact us at:
Dana Irwin
Director of Development & Community Relations
dirwin@gillispie.org
(858) 459-3773 ext. 133