Each year, Episcopal School of Jacksonville selects a student club to serve as its Partner Club, providing additional opportunities to raise awareness for the club’s mission and engage the school community. Student clubs that support charitable organizations can apply for the partnership by sharing information about their mission, past service, and plans for the upcoming school year. The Community Service Council, led by Upper School students and Theology & AP Psychology Instructor Alex Maples, reviews applications in collaboration with the Advancement Office and Student Life team before selecting the year’s Partner Club.
For the 2026-2027 school year, ESJ has selected the Medical Volunteering Club, led by students Yashika Kalagara ‘28 (middle) and Sarina Tangyingyong ‘28 (far right), which supports the DONNA Foundation. The Foundation provides hope, support, and financial assistance to individuals living with breast cancer, while also supporting breast cancer research.
The Medical Volunteering Club helps students explore their interests in healthcare, while making a difference in the community through medical-related volunteering opportunities. It provides opportunities for students to engage in hands-on volunteer activities, organize fundraisers, raise awareness, and connect with healthcare-related organizations. “By working with the DONNA Foundation and DONNA Youth Ambassadors,” says Kalagara ’28, “our club hopes to connect students with the healthcare community, transform awareness into action and make a positive impact on the lives of patients, families, and underserved communities.”
Over the past year, the Medical Volunteering Club promoted breast cancer awareness through educational brochures and wrote holiday cards for cancer patients staying at Hope Lodge. This school year, the club plans to continue its outreach through awareness campaigns, fundraising, and service projects supporting patients, families, and healthcare workers.
As Partner Club, the Medical Volunteering Club has opportunities to promote their initiatives through ESJ communications and receive support from the school community throughout the year. The partnership also provides opportunities for designated proceeds from one athletic event and one fine arts event to benefit the organization.
We look forward to supporting the Medical Volunteering Club and its work with the DONNA Foundation throughout the 2026–2027 school year!