ODA’s Core Values: A Pledge to Support Our Community

The appearance of COVID-19 in our region has brought forward many unique opportunities to step in to help better the lives of others being directly impacted during this challenging time.
 
Carolyn Mantone was proud to share that despite these challenging circumstances, her son, Ryan Mantone ‘22, has not given up on his commitment to being a good citizen. “Ryan made cards with candies to distribute to the staff at DeSoto Beach Club, a retirement facility where his grandmother lives,” she said. “We know this virus has been hard on not just the residents but also for the staff who are keeping our seniors safe. This gesture of good will made them all smile and feel loved during a difficult time. I think this is a great example of students still showing the ODA core values in our new virtual/remote world for now.”

During Spring Break, Chelsea Ball ‘21 and Sydney Graham ‘22, both members of ODA’s cross country and track & field teams, participated in the Positive Tracks Crush Covid Virtual 5K. Founded by the daughter of an Out-of-Door alumna, Positive Tracks is a national nonprofit organization that supports young people in creating athletic-inspired community fundraising events. Their mission: “We empower youth to change the world using the power of physical activity and play. We call it Sweating For Good.”

Also during Spring Break, Brody Rose ‘27 took on the challenge of how to bring a virtual concert to the residents of Bay Village knowing that the Encore and Suzuki players would be unable to perform in person. The industrious fifth grader compiled videos that his fellow musicians recorded of themselves playing, weaving them into a full-length concert. The video was shared on Bay Village’s internal television channel for all of the residents to enjoy. In addition, Bay Village residents have been enjoying the letters and pictures mailed by our students while they are unable to have visitors.

Prior to the coronavirus quarantine, Jenna Viard ‘21, had been babysitting for an ODA second grader each day after school. During the crisis, the child’s mother’s workload significantly increased, and there was no one to care for him during the day. Jenna and her family stepped in and offered to help with his childcare. Now his mother drops him off at the Viard’s house before work each day, where he gets help with his virtual learning and plays with the family while his mother is at work.

Middle Schoolers Aubrey Robbins ‘24 and Ryan Abernathy ‘24 have both looked around their own neighborhoods to see how they can safely help those who are currently homebound. Aubrey has offered to do the grocery shopping for those unable to get out to the store, while Ryan has been assisting by completing yard work for his elderly neighbors that are unable to do so themselves.

After reading an email plea of the need for clothing and shoes for the Downtown Ministries clothing drive, seniors Chelsea Lea and Sydney Sforzo dropped off a large donation of items they had collected through The Giving Closet, their nonprofit program. Although the students were unable to enter the building and meet with the organizers directly because of quarantine restrictions, they were able to drop off their donation knowing that their actions would bring comfort to those in need.

And finally, in appreciation and support of the selfless medical professionals within the ODA community, Out-of-Door assembled care packages that were delivered to Doctors Hospital of Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. We thank these brave men and women who dedicate themselves daily to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our entire community.