HOPE 2025: Student-Led Service Day Grows in Challenging Times

Student and faculty volunteers welcomed more than 1,000 visitors to the HOPE community event at Colorado Academy on December 13, 2025—the largest turnout since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the student-run initiative in 2020.

Now in its 32nd year, HOPE brings hundreds of local families to campus during the holiday season to receive free clothing, school supplies, toiletries, baby essentials, toys, food, medical care, and community services and enjoy a meal and fun activities, all organized by students.

Of the successful event, Head of School Dr. Mike Davis said, “I was proud to witness CA students helping to create moments of dignity, warmth, and belonging for others; seeing young people lead with compassion, humility, and purpose was deeply inspiring. In times that can feel overwhelming, they have reminded us that hope is not an abstract concept: It is nurtured through service, presence, and showing up for others.”

More than 200 students, faculty, staff, and parents volunteered to assist guests on the day of HOPE, while hundreds of students from Grades 6-12 had worked to unload, sort, and display thousands of pounds of donated clothing, canned food, personal items, and toys the day before.

According to one of this year’s HOPE Co-Presidents, Senior Caroline Hagen, “I was incredibly proud to watch families receiving the resources they truly needed during the difficult times in their lives. Seeing children’s faces light up as they danced to the music or tried on a new coat warmed my heart.”

With the temporary loss of SNAP benefits for many area families, notes Hagen, “It felt especially important that we were able to offer them access to health services, activities, and community organizations. Families were overjoyed to take home food items, and it was incredibly meaningful to see them connect with resources beyond HOPE.”

Among many other items, this year’s donated goods and services included:

• 12,000 diapers
• 2,500 socks 
• 1,300 feminine care bags
• 900 hygiene bags
• 400 backpacks filled with school supplies
• More than 100 coats
• 100 vaccinations

“It was really powerful to watch parents ask for diapers and visibly relax when we assured them they could take as many as they needed,” says Hagen. “Families were able to fill boxes with diaper bags and hygiene kits, hopefully making their lives a little easier.”

Senior HOPE Co-President Luke Allison adds, “The toy and games section was also amazing this year, and the directors, associates, and volunteers all did an excellent job of entertaining the kids. Volunteers managing translation and logistics were phenomenal, as well, and provided invaluable help in communicating, organizing a raffle, and checking in families.”

After shopping for any needed items in the CA Athletic Center, families were able to walk over to the Campus Center, where they could take advantage of free health screenings and enjoy a holiday meal prepared by CA’s Dining Services team.

The success of this 32nd annual HOPE event paves the way for further growth in the years to come, according to Senior Co-President Layne Ballenger. 

“HOPE is in excellent hands for the future, as many directors, associates, and volunteers took on leadership roles throughout the day and showed a lot of passion for the event; it was amazing to see.”

More HOPE Photos