Dana is a Viking with a very diverse set of interests. She is a two-sport varsity athlete, has a passion for art and is a bright IB Diploma candidate, planning to pursue Neuroscience in the future. Most rewarding of all her pursuits though is a non-profit she started called Crochet Children’s Fund. Through her non-profit, Dana sells stuffed animals she crochets and donates the proceeds to local children’s hospitals.
Dana shares what first sparked the idea for Crochet Children’s Fund, “I came across crocheting by accident- I decided to try it one day, and found I really enjoyed it! I figured that by starting a non-profit, I could have fun while doing some good in the world.”
When she first began crocheting, she was sharing her creations themselves with the hospital patients and their families, “It was really exciting when I would get to carry boxes filled with stuffed animals and give them out. After a while though, I realized that as happy as the toys made the kids, what most of those families needed was financial help. That's when I started selling the toys and sending them the proceeds instead. My first big donation was sent to the Texas Children's Hospital, but since then I've also supported some smaller pediatric clinics with long-term patients.”
Today, Dana has donated almost $7,000 and shared over 300 handmade stuffed animals with local children’s hospitals. Her heart for philanthropy goes hand-in-hand with her interest in business. She shares, “Through the years, I’ve found a balance between school and running the business and I hope to grow Crochet Children’s Fund even more in the future.”
Every school is home to exceptional individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on their community. Whether it's through class initiatives, service projects, or independent efforts, students are constantly striving to improve the world around them.
At The Village School, these initiatives shine brightly as students embrace opportunities to lead with empathy and purpose. One such example is a project started by Milan Drummond, a 12th grader with a passion for justice and community well-being. Through her initiative, Harmony Highways, Milan is working to improve relations between the public and law enforcement, reflecting both her desire to make a difference and her career aspirations.
During the summer time, vacations, pools, and fun are certainly on children’s minds. However, it’s also important to incorporate learning into their day. Summer learning loss, also known as the "summer slide," refers to the decline in academic and social skills that can occur when children are not engaged in educational activities during the summer months. Dana Sheridan, LPC, Lower School Counselor at The Village School, sheds light on this issue and offers practical solutions for parents to keep their children's minds active during the long summer break.
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