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Bullis School Brings Joy to Senior Citizens

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Bullis School Brings Joy to Senior Citizens

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service

Bullis MLK National Day of Service greeting cards

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" Julie Finigan, Upper School English Teacher and Community Service Director, reached out to the Bullis community to join a National Day of Service on Monday, January 18. "Let's give back and better our community on Martin Luther King Day by bringing joy to those who have been most affected by the pandemic—senior citizens," Finigan said.

On that day, Bullis students, faculty, families, and alumni joined together virtually to help raise the spirits of senior citizens in our area by creating greeting cards, poems, artwork, and videos to send to local nursing homes.

The first part of the project was completed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for the National Day of Service. Submissions poured in from participants, including Bullis students in Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Charles Johnson, Choral Director, along with Alana Hill, Visual and Performing Arts Dance teacher, and Cheryl Terwilliger, Director of the Visual and Performing Arts Program, all shared videos of their students performing in class.

Julie Finigan created a video compilation of the many submissions of poetry, cards, artworks, musical performances, dances, and songs, and sent the video to area nursing homes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for residents to enjoy.

Brighten our day this video certainly did and so much more. I am overwhelmed with joy, gratitude, and awe at the perfectness of how this video was compiled. The magnitude of talent is inspiring. The obvious care and genuine well wishes is a much-needed reminder of all the happy helpers out there in the world. I believe many of our residents not only experienced entertainment and joy but a feeling of connectedness to the community that they all miss so much. We will enjoy watching this video many times - I'm sure. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU! Fox Hill staff and residents
This video is AWESOME, AMAZING, INCREDIBLE!! Wow!! Our residents will be thoroughly entertained. How lucky were we to be the recipient of your students' talents?! Loved the variety, the editing, and all the effort. Please be sure to thank all those who contributed for taking the time to brighten the day of older adults in our community. This will truly make our residents' day! (It made mine!) Charles E. Smith Living Communities

The Bullis art department also teamed up with Bullis community service in support of this effort. Upper and Middle School art students in classes taught by art faculty Alice Shih Kahn, Angela Swadling, and Kathleen Adams created cheerful greeting cards to deliver to local senior citizens. Students continue to drop off cards and artwork for contactless delivery later this week to three area nursing homes.

Thank you to all students, families, alumni, and faculty who participated in the Bullis community MLK National Day of Service!

I am glad we could spread some joy to seniors in these troubling times. Julie Finigan, Upper School English Teacher and Community Service Director