Caring for communities and individuals in need is a long standing tradition at Laurel Springs School, and many Laurel Springs students have found ways to give back to their communities around the world during the 2025-2026 school year.

The holidays can be an excellent time to find ways to give back, and this month we are excited to highlight several Laurel Springs students who go above and beyond, sharing their time and resources to help individuals in need with food and pantry staples, health support, disaster relief, educational resources, and more. 

Learn more about how these Laurel Springs School students show up for their communities worldwide. 

Ruby Weiner, The Community Cupboard

At the start of the COVID pandemic, Ruby noticed many neighbors were having difficulty getting enough food. She wanted to help those in need, and decided to research and apply for grants, eventually receiving the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grant. She set up small food pantries around the city that encouraged neighbors to bring what they can and to take what they need. 

When talking with The Middletown Press, Ruby shared, “The pantries were originally called Ruby’s Pantries but since I built them with Clark Construction and was given the help and support of so many people and businesses in town, I renamed the pantries ‘The Community Cupboard.’” The whole community helped make these pantries happen, and even though Ruby decided to change the name, many neighbors still fondly refer to them as “Ruby’s Pantries.” 

A total of six Community Cupboards are located in Ruby’s city with sealed, canned, and packaged food. Any person in need can take items 24/7, and anyone can bring donations. Most recently, students and staff at Ridgefield Public Schools banded together to host a district-wide food drive that helped collect enough items to last through January 2026. 

Ruby is a junior at Laurel Springs School, and plans to continue to take action against food insecurity in her community during her high school years and after graduation. 

Nate Boykin, Civil Air Patrol

Two years ago, Laurel Springs sophomore Nate wanted to give back and started by researching organizations in his area. He learned more about the Civil Air Patrol, a federally-chartered nonprofit that works in conjunction with the Air Force, providing disaster relief, search and rescue, and educational resources to children interested in aerospace. He wanted to get more involved, and joined the cadet corps, of which he is currently a Cadet Second Lieutenant. 

He’s enjoyed getting to grow in areas that interest him while helping to educate others. “I love being able to mentor and teach younger, more junior cadets on a wide range of topics, from cybersecurity to aviation,” he shared. In addition to the education component, the Civil Air Patrol also receives many donations which help fund missions, provide toys for children, and coats for residents in the community. 

For students considering volunteering in their community, Nate recommends finding organizations they support and appreciate. “Find an organization that not only allows you to give back in a way that you enjoy, but also helps you grow as an individual,” he said. 

Victoria – Hui Qing Wang, Tutor Support

Before Victoria was a Laurel Springs student, she studied at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, and as a student she noticed many student-athletes struggled with their academics when managing their intense training schedules. She wanted to help her friends having issues with academics to feel more confident in the classroom, and she decided to start her own tutoring service designed to support students with Math, Science, English, and History. 

Victoria is a ninth grader at Laurel Springs, and over the past year of her tutoring service she has seen the impact her work has made, from noticing a student understanding a difficult concept to helping other students feel confident when tackling their homework. 

In addition to helping make a difference in her fellow students’ lives, Victoria is also working towards her Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) studies with the goal of becoming a professional certified practitioner in areas like acupuncture and herbal remedies. She started providing free consultations and plans to continue building her business as she learns more about TCM. 

When deciding how to give back to your community, Victoria recommends students find something they genuinely feel passionate about. “You don’t need to launch a huge project to make a difference – picking up a piece of trash or helping one person is already very meaningful,” said Victoria. “Pay attention to what people around you struggle with and think about how you can utilize your skills to support them. Once you take the first baby step, everything starts clicking into place and becomes natural, and best of all, enjoyable.” 

Kayden-Reed Letson, Isaiah’s Call @ St. Michael’s Church and OneGenAway

Kayden-Reed volunteers to help combat food insecurity in his community, and he started by working with an organization called Isaiah’s Call at St. Michael’s Church. This outreach program is dedicated to providing families in need with essential pantry staples. He helps stock shelves in the organization’s food pantry, getting to see firsthand the impact of consistent community support and how it can lift up his neighbors facing hardship. 

Kayden-Reed also volunteers with OneGenAway, a food distribution system with service on Saturdays. This program ensures surplus food can be redistributed to families and individuals in need. Food like pantry staples and fresh produce are unloaded off trucks and from there, volunteers begin personally delivering the food to hundreds of families in need. 

Through serving diverse communities and providing immediate relief to those struggling with food insecurity, Kayden-Reed has been able to pursue his passion of giving back. “These small acts of service can create meaningful change,” he shared. “Through my volunteer work, I’ve been able to learn empathy, responsibility, and most importantly, the value of community.”

Ansley Jenkins, Salvation Army, The Second Harvest Foodbank, and Operation Christmas Child

For Laurel Springs student Ansley, giving back has always been a part of her life. She’s volunteered at food banks in her community in addition to organizations like Salvation Army and Operation Christmas Child during the holiday season. 

The idea of giving back and making her neighbors’ lives better encouraged Ansley to become more active in her community. When working with The Second Harvest Foodbank, she teams up with 30+ individuals and together, they cook and pack meals for children in public schools. “My favorite part of being involved in these causes is being able to give back,” Ansley shared. “Being able to help people even if it’s just one gift or one meal makes me very happy. I believe that kindness and giving is the best gift of all.” 

Ansley recommends any student interested in getting involved in volunteering should start as soon as possible. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 1 person or 20 people you’re helping,” she said. “Giving back to your community can be done in small and big ways, and it is something that should be done whenever possible.” Ansley leads with kindness, believing that in doing so, she can help spark a new journey for every individual she meets in life. 

We are so proud to highlight the caring and hard work of these Laurel Springs students. The holiday season is the perfect time to consider giving back to your neighbors, and by reading through these spotlights we hope you are inspired to take action and start making a difference in your own community.

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