Ceili Leahy Day of Service
Click here to donate to the Ceili Leahy Day of Service & Service Scholarship.
The 2023 Ceili Leahy Senior Day of Service was a success!
James Monroe's High School Class of 2023 came out to serve on Thursday, April 20th, as a part of a combined project between Career & Technical Education and the English Department. CTE Coordinator Kristi Allison and English Department Chair Joe Cralle, along with John & Leslie Leahy of the Ceili Leahy Service Project, organized 10 opportunities for over 200 students to support community needs. Nonprofits Harbor House, Friends of the Rappahannock, Downtown Greens, Tree Fredericksburg, R-Board and James Monroe's, Lafayette's, and Hugh Mercer's campuses benefited from volunteer work.
About the Day of Service:
The Day of Service focuses on service projects around Fredericksburg and honors humanitarian and community activist Ceili Leahy, a 2014 JM graduate, who passed away in 2016 from cancer. Started in the fall of 2016, JM students have volunteered for nonprofit organizations whose missions are consistent with Ceili’s values and passions, which included human rights and justice, the environment, and global sustainability. Students have also served nonprofit organizations that provide help to families dealing with pediatric cancer and grief.
Whom we serve:
Nonprofit organizations that volunteers have served so far include: Loisann’s Hope House, Mary Washington Hopsice & Grief Support Services at Harbor House, Friends of the Rappahannock, Fairy Godmother Project, Fredericksburg City Schools, Downtown Greens, Tree Fredericksburg, and Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity. The Day of Service has now become a tradition for JMHS students to get involved and volunteer around Fredericksburg.
Our sponsors:
Local businesses sponsor the Day of Service events. Over the years our generous sponsors have included White Oak Animal Hospital, Suzy Stone Century 21 Redwood, J. Brian’s Tap Room, Fredericksburg Ballet Centre, Rappahannock Development Group, Coleman Motor Company, Inc., Blackhawk Homes, LLC, Meadows Farms, Bartlett Tree Experts, Dominion Energy, Arbor Care: Complete Tree Service LLC, Sally Harman Field at Snowden Farm LLC, and Black Knight Technology Inc. Traditionally our sponsors have allowed us to purchase supplies for service projects, refreshments for volunteers, and “Ceili Leahy Day of Service” tee shirts for all our volunteers - a visible reminder of Ceili’s passion for volunteerism and our commitment to community service.
Volunteer Hours
The Volunteer Hours Tracking Sheet is an optional way for students to track the hours volunteered, either in person or virtual. Students can earn the Virginia Department of Education Board of Education’s Excellence in Civics Education Seal for their diploma by volunteering 50 hours over their high school career and complete 2 courses (Virginia & US History and Virginia & US Government) with a grade of “B or higher. Students should communicate with their school counselor that they are working toward the seal. Please set up an appointment with your school counselor to sign off on the hours.
For more information about the graduation diploma seals of achievement, please visit Virginia Department of Education’s website at the following URL by clicking the button below.
