Throughout the fall semester, students and staff across Vestavia Hills City Schools have intentionally lived out The Vestavia Way by focusing on character, service, and philanthropy. From classrooms and clubs to athletic teams and schoolwide initiatives, our schools have embraced opportunities to serve others, build empathy, and make a meaningful impact in our community and beyond. 

As we reach the end of the fall semester on December 16, we pause to reflect with pride on the many ways our students and schools have demonstrated leadership, generosity, and a commitment to something greater than themselves. The examples below highlight just a portion of the incredible work that has taken place across our district this fall. 

Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights

• Partnered with Grace Klein to host canned food drives.

• Conducted a shoe collection during the fall.

• Hosted a Blood Drive in the Upper Library.

• Fifth-grade students continue weekly lunches with residents at New Merkel each Wednesday.

Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge

• Peer Helpers launched a service-learning project focused on Cystic Fibrosis (CF), addressing a need that directly impacts students within the school community.

• Peer Helpers planned and prepared schoolwide learning activities aligned with the character education goals of GROW Groups.

• Created a slideshow presentation titled “What is CF and How Can We Make a Difference?” to be shared during an upcoming GROW Group assembly.

• Educated peers about Cystic Fibrosis and explained plans to support students experiencing extended hospital stays by creating hospital kits.

• Assigned each GROW Group a specific item to donate for hospital kits, emphasizing understanding the purpose before collecting donations.

• Designed a GROW Group family activity where students learn about Cystic Fibrosis, explore the significance of the rose symbol, and create roses for the Dolly Ridge Rose Wall.

• Planned for roses to be distributed at the Cystic Fibrosis Walk in May.

• Peer Helpers will personally deliver hospital kits to see their impact and deepen understanding of medical research supporting children with CF.

• Project aligns with core values by encouraging empathy and helping students think beyond themselves.

Santa’s Workshop Service Project (Dolly Ridge)

• Held the annual Santa’s Workshop service project on Friday, December 5.

• Students assembled snack bags during PE time for students at Center Point Elementary.

• Snack donations were collected from families during Caring and Sharing Week.

• The project supported students who rely on free or reduced lunch and may face challenges during winter break.

• Parent volunteers assisted students in sorting, packing, and organizing snack bags.

• The event featured festive holiday attire and a workshop-style atmosphere.

Vestavia Hills Elementary East

• Raised funds through the annual Color Run, donating $3,000 to Neighbor9, a local 501(c)(3) founded by VHEE alumni.

• Supported Neighbor9’s Christmas initiative benefiting families in the Smithfield neighborhood with gifts for children and seniors, books, blankets, and food.

• Several classes adopted Christmas Angels and shopped together to fulfill specific wants and needs.

Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park

• Participated in Truckload of Warmth, supporting community members in need.

• Hosted a Canned Food Drive as part of the One Can Make a Difference initiative.

• Peer Helpers volunteered with Feed BHM, supporting local food insecurity efforts.

• Peer Helpers visited The Humane Society to serve and support animal welfare initiatives.

• Liberty Park Singers performed Christmas carols at Kirkwood by the River, a local nursing home facility.

• Observed Get Up and Serve Week, collecting donations to assemble bags of food for neighboring communities prior to Spring Break.

Vestavia Hills Elementary West

• Donated 2,463 items during a canned food drive benefiting local families.

• Delivered vegetables from the school garden to a local food bank during the summer.

Liberty Park Middle School

• Raised over $8,000 for Make-A-Wish Alabama.

• Continued the annual 1Rebel 1Cause Spirit Week tradition centered on selfless service.

• SGA president and vice president selected several potential charitable organizations, often local partners such as Magic Moments, Unless U, and FIDOS.

• The student body voted on the supported organization as part of the Q1 student survey.

• Hosted a pep rally prior to Spirit Week to reveal the selected organization.

• Collected donations both online and in person throughout Spirit Week.

• Students raised $8,736.67 in one week through Spirit Week activities.

• Spirit Week promoted service, school spirit, and friendly competition through the House System.

Louis Pizitz Middle School

• Participated in philanthropy efforts supporting the following organizations and initiatives:

  • Libby’s Friends

  • Miracle League

  • Post Place

  • UnlessU

  • Urban Ministries

  • Love In Action

  • Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank

  • Grace Klein

  • Glenwood Farms

  • Alabama Wildlife Center

  • Cahaba River Society

  • Morningside Nursing Home

  • Canned Food Drive

VHHS Freshman Campus

• Participated in the following fall philanthropy activities:

  • Canned food drive in conjunction with VHHS Main Campus.

  • Non-perishable food drive for Grace Klein Community (Feed BHM).

  • Fall Charity events, including Homecoming King Nominee activities, Powderpuff football game, and Doodles food truck visit.

  • Jingle Bell Rock involving Leadership Council, Peer Helpers, and FCA Leaders.

  • Socks for Seniors drive.

Vestavia Hills High School

• Student Government Association (SGA):

  • Hosted fundraisers for the Lovelady Center.

  • Organized Powderpuff Football Game, Faculty–Student Basketball Game, Talent Show, and Trunk-or-Treat.

  • Sold senior boy/senior girl t-shirts.

  • Partnered with local businesses including Doodles, Tanology, Vestavia Nail, VIP Nails, and Vestavia Nutrition.

  • Homecoming King nominees helped raise funds.

  • Organized a canned food drive for Vestavia Methodist and Love In Action, collecting over 15,000 cans in partnership with the Freshman Campus.

• Library:

  • Hosted a Giving Tree to collect toiletries for the Lovelady Center.

• National Honor Society for Dance Arts:

  • Collected stuffed animals and art supplies for the Amelia Center at Children’s Hospital.

• Youth Leadership (YL):

  • Prepared for next semester’s RISE program.

  • Supported SGA’s fall charity efforts for the Lovelady Center.

  • Participated in Trunk-or-Treat.

  • Required members to donate at least 10 cans to the SGA canned food drive.

• Spanish Club & Spanish Honor Society:

  • Volunteered at FIESTA Birmingham for Hispanic Heritage Month.

  • Assisted with event setup, donated supplies, and taught crafts from Spanish-speaking cultures.

  • Supported education and scholarship initiatives.

• Volleyball Program:

  • Partnered with Mercy Deliverance Ministries to pack healthy food boxes for families in need.

• HOSA:

  • Partnered with Love In Action to assemble and distribute Thanksgiving groceries.

  • Created holiday cards for Amedisys Hospice Care patients.

• Golf Team:

  • Volunteered with Morningside Assisted Living through cookie decorating and putt-putt activities.

  • Raked yards in the community before Christmas.

  • Participates in the community Christmas parade.

• Bowling Team:

  • Volunteered with Special Olympics.

  • Raked yards in the community before Christmas.

  • Participates in the community Christmas parade.

• Girls Basketball:

  • Volunteered to run the Park & Rec D-League for kindergarten through second-grade students.

• Baseball:

  • Volunteered at camps for underprivileged inner-city youth.

  • Supported the Miracle League.

  • Participated in exam-week yard raking for elderly residents in Vestavia.

• Boys Soccer:

  • Worked with the Salvation Army through YouthServe to help set up 1,300 holiday distribution boxes.

  • Conducted an independent food drive for Vestavia Methodist’s food pantry during SNAP shortages.

• Girls Soccer:

  • Volunteered with FCA leaders at the Hope Lodge to decorate trees and sing Christmas carols.

  • Created Christmas and encouragement cards for patients.

  • Scheduled to volunteer with senior citizens at New Merkel.

  • Supported other teams by attending practices and events.

• Literacy Club:

  • Played BINGO with VA patients.