Ninth grade Lower Merion social studies teacher Thomas Reed sponsors the school's chapter of buildOn. A non-profit organization, buildOn empowers U.S. high school students through in-class and intensive after-school programs. In addition to tremendous contributions of community service in their own cities and neighborhoods, buildOn youth actually build schools and bring literacy to children and adults in developing countries around the world. Programs are designed to build confidence and real-world capabilities in American youth while also empowering communities world-wide to overcome the crippling cycle of illiteracy, poverty and low expectations by opening the door to education.
Lower Merion buildOn members have participated in community service projects including charity walks, working at Philabundance, volunteering at the Special Olympics, planting trees and cleaning up trails, among many other activities. During the 2009-2010 school year, members also raised more than $10,000 last year to build a school in Malawi Africa. Two students, Cat Rideout and Maddie Guss, actually traveled to Malawi with a dozen other buildOn members from local chapters to help construct the school.
2010-2011 Lower Merion buildOn members
