As part of our mission, Calmont School believes that we should instill in students a commitment of service to others. Each year Calmont students touch thousands of lives through monthly community service projects that address needs as close as Topanga and as far away as Tanzania. Our annual swimathon raises approximately $13,000 to support the charitable organizations identified by members of our community. Activities last year supported Step Up on Second, the Westside Food Bank, the Rainforest Action Network, the Red Cross, Sojourner Services, the US Armed Services, The Painted Turtle, Wildworks, Arson Watch and TCEP (Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness). The children's enthusiasm for community service is clearly a reflection of the values that we all share. Calmont is a learning community committed to making a positive difference in this world.
Paint Out Hunger Campaign
Recently Calmont participated in a school-wide "summit" on hunger. Windward Senior and Calmont Alumna Kiley Hart brought to campus representatives from Relief International, Doctors Without Borders and Corazon de Vida Orphanage. They helped us explore the reasons that hunger occurs and the ways that we can help. Students discovered that it was possible to alleviate World Hunger if the Developed World made just slight changes in their daily food choices. Part of the activities included a "Hunger Banquet" which replaced our usual hot lunch options that day with a filling, but "alternative" menu featuring rice and beans or pasta and tomatoes. The banquet helped students understand the difference between basic nutrition and overindulgence. Part of the day's conversation compared the $.19 a person in a developing country spends on food to what our kids spend when they go out for dinner. For a week students were asked to make simpler food choices at home and contribute the resulting money saved toward our "Paint Out Hunger" fund benefiting the Westside Food Bank, Doctors Without Borders, Corazon de Vida, Relief International and Net Aid. Calmont raised over $6,000 in this community service activity.
Make-A-Wish Foundation
At the end of the school year, the students of Calmont with the help of Mr. Cinnamo got together and organized a bowling night and a series of bake sales to help raise $3,000 to benefit Make A Wish.
Calmont School being recognized for their efforts raising money for TCEP