Upcoming Events
October
2-4
Maranatha Band Comes to Saint Mark's!
The Maranatha Band, the Loudest Christians Ever, will be coming to Saint Mark's High School on the evening of Thursday, October 3. Please join us for this free concert!
Please reach out to info@servothers.org for more information!
January
11-18
SERV Goes to the Dominican!
January 11-18, SERV is taking another trip to the Dominican Republic! We are so excited to go back and see our friends and share impacts across cultures, countries, and lives.
Please reach out to info@servothers.org if you would like to join us!
Past Events
SERV went to the Dominican!
Gracias Dios
One Song
Med Clinic - Falling Slowly
From January 6 to January 13, SERV made a huge impact in the Dominican Republic. With 20 people on the trip, we moved over 70,000 lbs of rice, which got delivered to each family living in the bateys. We also moved over 12,000 lbs of cinder blocks to fix weathered foundations of houses in the bateys and to help build the prostetics clinic in the center of La Romana. We brought 9 giant red bags filled with $50,000 worth of medical supplies that will help serve over 250,000 patients at our partner hospital this year. We sponsored a medical clinic that provided medical care to over 300 people in Kilometer 6, which is a community built on a trash dump. And, we've touched the lives of thousands both in the Dominican Republic and in our home communities.
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The three videos to the left provide a glimpse into the fun, growth, and connections that we enjoyed while we served in the migrant communities in the sugarcane fields of the Dominican Republic. ​​
SERV film Wins!
The short documentary that we made about our service trip has one dozens of awards in dozens of film festivals. Our film has earned awards like Best of Show, Best Female Director, Most Inspirational, and Best Short Documentary in festivals around the world in places like Paris, Berlin, Cannes, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and even Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
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Next Stop, LA Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles!
Pre-Party & Sweatshirt Printing
Our volunteers gathered for a pre-party on December 10, 2023. This helped the students get to know each other better, and allowed the parents to do the same. Additionally, we showed the students how to print their travel hoodies, which we will be wearing on the plane flights. This is going to be a great trip!
Advent Blessing Ceremony
As part of an Advent Blessing on December 4, 2023, our volunteers had the opportunity to share with the Saint Mark's student body our plans for the Dominican Republic service trip. Lauren Tyree shared a reflection, connecting the themes of Advent, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love to the impact of their work in January. This was very moving for the student body and gave a good overview of the impact that the 20 Spartan volunteers will have on the people they are serving.
Teambuilding & Ropes Course
On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, our student volunteers got to learn more about leadership and teamwork on the low ropes course at Saint Mark's High School. Mr. Fertal, President of Saint Mark's, and a certified student course leader, Ethan, guided our team through various obstacles that challenged our teamwork. We learned the importance of trust in a group, having a plan before you start working, and we overall became more familiar with the students going on the trip. In the long run, this led to our team being more comfortable before we start working, and we will be able to perform at our best while in the Dominican Republic.
Rotary Club Presentation
On November 30, 2023, Lauren Tyree earned a standing ovation from 75 Rotarians in the Rotary Club of West Chester for her presentation about Scouting and how it prepares youth for great accomplishments in life. Lauren started her presentation about her very first time camping that didn't go so well and how it taught her three valuable lessons about teamwork, tackling large projects, and always bringing extra toilet paper - that's one area where a Scout especially needs to be prepared! She highlighted her work with SERV, tackling post-Covid loneliness by partnering students with doctors to help people in impoverished living communities in the Dominican Republic. A huge thank you to the fine folks of the West Chester Rotary for inviting Lauren to present and for sharing their enthusiasm and curiosity.
Maranatha Band
"The Loudest Christians Ever!"
On September 20, 2023, we hosted an electrifying free concert featuring the Maranatha Band, a Dominican praise band we like to call the "Loudest Christians Ever!" With an ensemble of 19 talented musicians, the night was filled with infectious energy, passionate singing, and joyful praise to God. What made this event even more special was its charitable purpose, as we managed to raise an astounding $5,000 in just one night. All proceeds from this concert were dedicated to supporting the Maranatha Mission and SERV, making it an evening of music and celebration with a meaningful impact on our global community.
Inviting the Band
"The Loudest Christians Ever!"
On July 30, 2023, we announced that we would be hosting the Maranatha Band to perform at Jarrettown United Methodist Church. ​Inviting the Dominican praise band to perform in our area was a heartfelt decision rooted in gratitude and unity. Comprising dedicated translators from a mission in the Dominican Republic, this band has been an invaluable support to our non-profit volunteers during their service trips. Their unwavering assistance has fostered a deep bond of friendship and collaboration. By extending an invitation to showcase their musical talents, we not only celebrated their contributions but also strengthened the connection between our church and the mission. It was a beautiful way to express our appreciation and reinforce the sense of global community that lies at the core of our church's mission.
SERV goes to the Dominican!
In July 2024, our service trip to the Dominican Republic was an extraordinary experience, uniting students from five area schools in a week-long mission to uplift the impoverished bateys of La Romana. With unwavering dedication, we provided vital medical care, distributed essential food supplies, and constructed homes, making a tangible impact on the lives of those in need. Perhaps one of our most unexpected accomplishments was helping to build a first of its kind state of the art prosthetics clinic to serve the Dominican community with free prosthetics. We are offering hope and mobility to those who had long yearned for it. This trip not only demonstrated the power of collaboration and compassion but also left an indelible mark on each of us, strengthening our commitment to serving others and fostering positive change in the world.
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The two videos on the left beautifully encapsulate the essence of our transformative week in the Dominican Republic. They are a heartfelt reflection of the spirit, compassion, and meaningful experiences we shared during our time there. Please take a moment to watch and feel the impact of our journey.