All School Day of Service is a day dedicated to giving back to others. Each grade in middle and upper school is assigned a different service project that helps others. This past Service Day, our freshman class went to the New Life Furniture Bank in Walpole. The Furniture Bank is a nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers. New Life Furniture Bank collects furniture along with other household goods and distributes them to those in need with no payment required. The Furniture Bank gives individuals and families who are recovering from homelessness gently used furniture for their homes. They strive for a future where nobody is compelled to eat, sleep, or live in inhumane conditions. The Furniture Bank treats each client with respect and care, ensuring they have the opportunity to select their furniture and be content with the furniture of their choosing. They provide comfort, security, and hope while serving clients and providing an effective way to recycle gently used furniture items. So far, New Life has assisted 4,457 families. As New Life Furniture Bank helps people furnish their homes, they convey the ultimate mission of restoring dignity and doing so while providing clients with a new chapter in their lives.
When students arrived at the New Life Furniture Bank, everyone immediately jumped into action. Students were split into three groups with three different duties, each one serving a different purpose. One group assembled furniture which was donated by a company earlier that week. Students worked diligently to assemble the furniture which benefited all volunteers, saving them so much time for other necessary duties. Another group learned how to fix slightly damaged furniture. Students took part in restoring chairs, which was incredibly helpful to the furniture bank. The quality of the furniture was improved and it was able to be used once again. The last group, which we were part of, painted and freshened up a portion of the bank. This task was necessary, as it provided a more refreshing area for clients and volunteers. The restored color also makes the area look nicer as a whole. We restored brightness to the room and enhanced the overall appearance. Many groups worked together and moved furniture to a more accessible area. We felt a sense of community while working together to create a better environment around us. We departed from New Life feeling accomplished and knowing our hard work would have a long-lasting impact on the people we served.
Coming out of this experience, we felt that helping out at New Life Furniture Bank was a practical way to learn about the importance of helping others in need and the importance of supporting others. Aneesa Maity ‘27 stated: “After volunteering at New Life Foundation Bank, I felt that I had gained a lot of perspective. We don’t really think about what happens when someone coming out of homelessness is finally able to afford a house but is unable to afford the furniture needed to make it feel like a home. It was amazing to have the opportunity to step in the volunteers’ shoes and meaningfully contribute to our community.” We came to recognize that through sorting, arranging, and painting we were also developing cooperation and communication skills, improving our teamwork as a class. The New Life Furniture Bank has helped us acknowledge the importance of giving back to others and the comforting feeling of making a positive difference in the lives of others. We recommended checking them out or signing up to volunteer through their website!
By Brooke Surdel ‘27 and Julianna Flores ‘27, Contributing Writers
