“Emma’s Day-Viking Volunteer Day”, named in memory of Emma Welter, a beloved Vanguard student, is an annual service opportunity for Vanguard students based on a community experience.
BE Joyful
For this year, Emma's Day has been transformed into Emma’s Week due to health and wellness initiatives in connection with the CDC social distancing guidelines.
Vanguard students, faculty, and staff are having a volunteering spirit week where each day has a purposeful means of spreading joy and thoughtfulness throughout the Waco community area.
A message from Tim and Jo Welter on this 20th year of Emma's Day!
See the end of this email for more information about Emma Welter and why we honor her with Viking volunteering.
Meaningful Monday - Provide Encouragement
Send a supportive email, card, or letter out to the community.
Reach out to the mayor, a city council member, military personnel, veterans, grocery store workers or medical workers in the hospital.
Post encouraging words in your front yard, window, or online to others.
Plan for a virtual activity with family and friends (ex: playing games, reading books to younger children)
Stilwell Retirement is taking letters that we can be mailed (5400 Laurel Lake Dr, Waco, TX 76710). Letters should include a return-address stamped envelope for being a pen-pal. Or, reach out to a long-term elderly residential facility of your choice.
Take-Out Tuesday - Support Waco
Sort through your closets and make a give-away box of items that are in good condition but no longer used. Donate them to a clothing donation center.
Sort through your pantry and donate extra non-perishable items to a Waco food bank or Highland Baptist Church. Check online for other collection options of your choice.
Attend an Urban Gardening Zoom conference at 11:00 AM with Mrs. McCown to find out how to reduce food waste, water usage, and energy for food production through urban gardening.
Email Office_Staff@vanguard.org a quick video clip of you saying 'thank you' to the VCPS teachers. The videos will be pieced together for a special thank you message for the Teacher Appreciation Week in May
Tell five people why you are thankful for them in your life (ex: mentor, volunteer). Actually give them a call!
Write a letter to your VCPS Peer giving thanks for the year!
Send letters of gratitude to Operation Gratitude for military personnel (click HERE for the guidelines) or Front Line Responders (click HERE for the guidelines). During these challenging times, Operation Gratitude is focused on providing direct support to the brave men and women on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic with expressing appreciation to front-line responders through #VirtualVolunteerism in their homes. Email your messages of thanks to Office_Staff@vanguard.org or mail to 2517 Mt. Carmel, Waco, TX, 76710 for sending to Operation Gratitude.
Friendship Friday - Fostering Connections - Field Day Friday - Spreading the Friendship
Emma’s Week encompasses the spirit of our community.
To complete the 2020 Emma’s Week, we take time to foster community and friendships through Field Day Friday.
Students and Parents, come to campus during the designated time to pick up your Field Day shirt! It’s going to be a Viking friendship parade!
Let’s make Field Day Shirt Pick up fun! Roll Down your Windows - Play Your Music - Bring Your Family - Wave to Your Teachers!
See below for campus visit times. Students will not get out of cars. Location and pick up instructions will be in the Wednesday memo next week.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM PM: Seniors and Juniors
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: 9th and 10th Grade
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM: 7th and 8th Grade
Families with multiple children can come during their oldest child’s time slot.
Mail an encouraging letter to Vanguard Senior, a friend or to another Vanguard Student - Addresses are in the RenWeb Directory.
Plant flowers to brighten up the walk for neighbors.
Write out sidewalk inspirational messages or do fence chalk drawings for all to see.
Are you a musician? Record a performance or song and share online for others to hear great local music.
Operation Community Connection: Baylor Scott and White – Hillcrest wants to distribute as many pieces of encouragement as possible for patients. Send an encouraging letter or drawing to the BSW Medical Center as a PDF or picture file and email it to BSWHWACOCARES@BSWHealth.org.
Go pull your neighbor’s weeds! Give the flowers space to grow!
Join us as we stay stronger together as a community!
Create your own that is connected to the theme of the day. Email your Emma's Week pictures of doing service to Mrs. Ressetar.