St. Luke's School Fall Sports Athletes Engage in Community Service: A Winning Tradition

This fall, St. Luke's School Athletics embraced the spirit of giving back, challenging its student-athletes to not only excel on the field and court but also make a difference in the community. The initiative, led by the Athletics Department with the partnership of Upper School Service Coordinator Susan Bralower, provided students with three unique opportunities for community service. Students had the chance to volunteer at Ridgebury Farms or Filling in the Blank, or to complete an on-campus service project. 

To further motivate participation, the school turned the initiative into a friendly competition among fall sports teams, measuring success by the percentage of team members who participated. In the end, the St. Luke's football team emerged victorious, and earned ice pops on a hot Friday afternoon. 

Located just a few miles from campus, Ridgebury Farms welcomed St. Luke’s athletes. The farm, a Hippotherapy and Equine Assisted Therapy Center that supports individuals of all backgrounds and abilities in working to become the best version of themselves, offered student-athletes a chance to get their hands dirty while supporting the mission. Athletes helped with everything from grooming horses to maintaining the trails to preparing educational activities for the farm's youth programs. It was a hands-on opportunity for students to connect with nature and contribute to the community.

Filling in the Blanks, based in Norwalk, addresses food insecurity by providing nutritious meals to children in need. St. Luke’s athletes joined the mission by packing food bags for delivery to local schools and shelters. The partnership allowed athletes to make a direct impact on hunger relief in their community. Many students expressed how eye-opening the experience was, realizing the extent of food insecurity in their own neighborhoods. 

For students who wanted to stay close to home, the school created an on-campus service activity creating kindness notes for Filling in the Blanks that will be going into the backpacks that go home with the students they serve.  

As the program continues to evolve, St. Luke's School is looking ahead to expand its community service opportunities. Working closely with Bralower in her new role, the school aims to provide additional avenues for student-athletes to engage with and give back to their community. This focus on service and leadership development will remain central to the school’s mission, ensuring that student-athletes not only grow on the field, but also as responsible citizens.

This initiative has strengthened the bonds between student-athletes and their community, reaffirming St. Luke’s commitment to service, leadership, and character development — values that extend far beyond athletics. As the fall season comes to a close, the school looks forward to continuing this tradition of service through the winter and spring seasons, ensuring that community involvement remains a cornerstone of the student-athlete experience.