Greatest Good Case Studies

Idea

Course or Project

First Grade Service-Learning Project

Overview

McDonogh's first graders transformed the traditional Lower School coat drive into a six-week service-learning experience that combined literacy, science, social-emotional learning, and community engagement. The project culminated in a field trip to deliver and sort coats at Happy Helpers for the Homeless headquarters.

Implementation

Who We Served

Partnering with Happy Helpers for the Homeless, a nonprofit supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the Baltimore area, students collected coats for children from infancy through adolescence.

The Challenge

Many local children face cold winters without adequate outerwear. The goal was to provide warmth while helping first graders understand housing insecurity and see how small actions can make a big difference.

What We Learned

• Cultivate Purpose: Students took ownership of the project, inspired by Happy Helpers' founder, who started the organization at age eight, and realized that even children can create meaningful change.
• Develop Empathy: Through stories like A Winter's Day and Home, students explored what it might feel like to lose a home or a coat, connecting emotionally to those in need.
• Understand Systems: A visit to Happy Helpers' food pantry revealed how clothing, food, and care work together to support over 1,000 people weekly. The experience is linked to McDonogh's Stuff-a-Bus campaign, reinforcing the school's broader role in community support.
• Build Advocacy: Students designed posters, created PSAs, and encouraged family participation in the coat drive, practicing communication and persuasion.
• Inspire Innovation: Using design thinking, they brainstormed collection strategies and streamlined sorting and distribution.

Impact

• On the Organization: Happy Helpers received 135 sorted coats, along with students' handwritten notes of encouragement. The visit to Happy Helpers headquarters deepened McDonogh's partnership with the nonprofit and highlighted the impact of ongoing efforts.
• On Students: Students experienced the joy of seeing their work have an immediate impact. They developed empathy, communication skills, and a sense of purpose, understanding that community problems are interconnected and solvable through teamwork. Teachers noted growth in collaboration, critical thinking, and leadership.

Looking Ahead

First graders are eager to expand their partnership with Happy Helpers in Spring 2026, continuing their journey of service and learning.