Service
At Saint David’s, boys learn to look beyond themselves.
At Saint David’s, service isn’t reserved for a single day or grade—it’s a constant thread woven through the daily life of the school. From their earliest years, our boys are taught to look beyond themselves and to act with purpose in the service of others. Whether packing food for local families, raising funds for schools abroad, or spending time with children and seniors in need, their work reflects a deeper commitment to the idea that compassion must be practiced. These programs, grounded in long-standing partnerships and shaped by our mission to raise good men, help our boys discover that generosity is a way of being.
PROJECTS
The Seeing Eye Foundation
In support of The Seeing Eye Foundation, fourth graders lead a school-wide effort called Pennies for Puppies. During visits at the Foundation, they learn how guide dogs enable visually impaired to live independently. Student-led fundraising efforts in support of the foundation demonstrate how small acts – offered thoughtfully – can have meaning.
In 2025, the donation amount exceeded $16,000, a record total. Because of the great work Saint David's boys have contributed over the years, “The Seeing Eye” featured an article in their own publication about our partnership.
One Sandwich at a Time
In partnership with One Sandwich at a Time, our fifth and seventh graders prepare meals for neighbors facing food insecurity. The act of assembling a sandwich might be simple, but the lesson is lasting. A heartfelt gesture, made with care, can meet a moment of real need.
Gbowee Peace Foundation
To help students in Liberia and Ghana, sixth graders organize a drive for the Gbowee Peace Foundation, collecting funds that provide high-achieving children in those nations backpacks filled with essential school supplies and a stipend for uniforms—tools that help them stay in school and keep thriving. Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee visits Saint David’s each year to share her experience with the children her organization supports.
Carnegie Hill East
Each week during the fall term, seventh graders walk to a nearby assisted-living home, where they spend time talking, laughing, and playing games with elderly residents. In these shared moments, boys learn how much it means to be generous with your time.
Education in Ethiopia
Since 2011, Saint David’s boys have helped build two schools in rural Ethiopia. Through fundraisers and on-the-ground visits, they’ve supported not just classrooms, but clean water too—a lasting commitment to children half a world away, and a powerful lesson in what it means to be a global citizen.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, every boy takes part—from collecting canned goods to packing full holiday meals for two outreach organizations connected to Saint David’s staff members. Eighth graders lead the way, selling pies to raise money for Thanksgiving dinners, and ensuring that families across the city have a good meal come the holiday.
Graham-Windham Children's Services
Even our youngest boys are taught that warmth comes in many forms. Each December, Lower School students collect hats and mittens for children served by Graham-Windham, a tradition that quietly instills a deeper lesson: small acts of kindness can make a world of difference.
Additional Service Projects
Throughout the year, Saint David’s boys rally around causes that call for compassion, from natural disasters to urgent needs close to home. Whether organizing a fundraiser or raising awareness, writing letters to troops, or collecting pantry items for Ronald McDonald House, they learn that service means stepping up when it matters most.
Alumni Initiatives
Even after graduation, Saint David’s boys find their way back to 89th Street. Each summer, several alumni return to serve as mentors and teacher assistants for Horizons at Saint David’s, a tuition-free academic and enrichment program for boys from under-resourced communities.