FRIDAY, May 22, 2026

What is GIVE Day?

GIVE Day Elementary Edition is a FCEPTA-sponsored initiative to get our PK-5th graders involved in community service. This year the event has been redesigned to include the PYP curriculum in a more collaborative and inclusive way.

GIVE Day is more than a service event—it’s a hands-on extension of our IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) commitment to developing caring, active, globally-minded learners. Throughout the day, students engage in meaningful service projects that connect directly to their units of inquiry, encouraging them to take action, reflect on their impact, and understand their role in the world around them.

From supporting local community needs to caring for the environment, students collaborate, problem-solve, and demonstrate the PYP learner profile in authentic ways. GIVE Day empowers every child to see themselves as changemakers and reinforces the belief that even small acts of service can make a big difference.

GIVE DAY 2026

Starting on May 22, 2026 there will be boxes in the lobbies of our elementary schools to collect essential items that will be distributed among several local nonprofit organizations serving individuals and animals in need throughout the Little City and in our surrounding area. Please have your student bring in an item to donate to someone in need! Boxes will be available through the end of the school year. Whether it is a toothbrush for the Falls Church Homeless Shelter, a can of cat food, or a gently used Danny T-shirt, every little bit helps.

Kindergarten and 3rd Grade

Toiletries to benefit the Falls Church Homeless Shelter. Think travel-sized soap, mini shampoo, and individually wrapped toothbrushes and toothpaste.  

1st and 4th Grade

Canned dog and cat food and pet toys to be donated to the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation.

2nd and 5th Grade

Donate non-perishable food to benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Cereal, pasta, canned goods, rice, and boxed snacks are all great options!

Also on May 22, students will have the opportunity to engage in service activities that will hopefully inspire them to extend their impact in local and global contexts, such as writing letters for service members through Operation Gratitude, decorating squares for the Love Quilt Project, or composing cards for cancer patients through Sugar Bloom Foundation.

There will also be an opportunity for acts of service and kindness in the community over the summer; more on that to come in early June!

FUNDRAISING UPDATE!

Thank you for making our Bake Sale a sold-out success! We raised over $800 for GIVE Day. Special thanks to Kristina's Swede Treats!!

We also raised almost $200 through Coin Wars. The fifth graders

were victorious and will be treated to popsicles at an upcoming recess.

Thank you for joining us at the Original Pancake House, Panera Bread and Raising Cane's! Our dine outs were a huge success, raising over $600 to support our GIVE Day causes.

Thank you to everyone for their generosity!

2025 SERVICE PROJECTS

FOOD INSECURITY: on GIVE Day, the 5th grade Ambassadors will organize the assembly of ‘Power Packs’ of food for elementary school children in our region who may not have enough food to eat on weekends via Food for Others. 

PAWS FOR THE CAUSE: Helping local animal shelters through donations and making dog toys

THERE'S NO "I" IN TEAM: Collecting sports gear for Leveling the Playing Field and FCCPS Spirit Gear for those in our community

ENGAGING WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT: Cleaning up Oak Street Elementary School and the surrounding community; painting rocks for a Kindness Garden at OSE

CARING THROUGH COMMUNICATION: Making Boredom Busters for Children's National Hospital, writing letters for Sugar Bloom, and supporting Operation Gratitude Project Pillowcase

How can YOU help?

Donate $$ and become an individual, family or corporate sponsor.

Individual sponsors will be recognized with a $15 donation; family sponsors will be recognized with a $40 donation. We welcome corporate sponsors to make a donation in any amount. All donations are tax-deductible.

Donate

Volunteer with your family on GIVE Day! Be a part of this amazing day for our community and students! 

Spread the word:  Talk to your kids about community service and why it is important. Reach out to community leaders and businesses to see if they would be willing to help.