At Holderness, service isn’t just a requirement—it’s ingrained in the culture. Our students don’t just talk about making a difference; they organize, fund, and lead the work themselves.

Through the Service Council, Holderness School students manage two entirely student-run revenue streams; the Coffee Cart and Snack Bar, which fuel our efforts locally and abroad. This work is sustained not by parents or faculty—but by our students’ ideas, energy, and commitment.

 Hands-On Support, at Home and Abroad 

Common Man for Ukraine

Our students play a central role in supporting the Common Man for Ukraine Children’s Health Retreats. We have completed five service trips, including four student groups assisting children’s retreats and another team helping launch the first mothers’ retreat in August of 2025. 

Students ran a lemonade stand at the Ashland Fourth of July parade to raise money for shoes and gear, and assisted at the Concert at the Barn in July to raise funds for food convoys and retreats. This summer alone, students who participated in the June retreat started their own social media campaign and raised $33,528 as of mid-October.

Bridge House

Nearly every week, our students cook and serve meals for the Bridge House, supporting individuals facing homelessness. At Christmastime, we donate gifts and necessities, and during the winter, we ensure families have the outerwear they need.

Habitat for Humanity

Alongside providing meals, our students connect directly with workers on-site—many of whom are incarcerated individuals on work release, building skills for new beginnings. We’ve also raised enough funds to cover the full landscaping costs for the homes built in the past two years.

Local Schools

We have adopted a local school system where over 60% of the population lives below the federal poverty line. Holderness School sends monthly donations of school supplies and healthy snacks, and once a year, we supply clothing, winter gear, boots, and seasonal clothing needs. Our students also visit the school monthly to read and play with the young students, providing helpful mentorship and relationships.

 Events That Make an Impact 

Our annual events not only bring the community together but also raise thousands of dollars for causes our students care about:

• Reach-the-Beach Ragnar Race | September
  This race earns about $750 annually and allows our community to cheer on participants to keep them pushing toward the finish line.
   
• Squam Ridge Race and CHaD Hero Race | September, October
  Students provide support to participants and also have the opportunity to participate.
  This year’s total: $2,000
   
• Red Cross Blood Drives | Fall and Spring
  Students volunteer to help with registration and can donate blood if they meet the requirements.
   
• Empty Bowls Dinner | October | The Flying Monkey
  Benefits CommonMan for Ukraine, Habitat for Humanity, Bridge House, and Afghan girls’ education.
  This year’s total: $4,500

Students celebrate a touchdown in a competitive flag football game during Touchdown for a Cure, an on-campus fundraiser to support cancer research. 

• Touchdown for a Cure | October
   
• Relay for Life | October 27
  The Holderness School community participates in the road race and raises funds for the American Cancer Society.
  Last year’s total: $3,000
   
• Turkey Dip or Trot | November 16
  A new road race and/or cold plunge in support of local food pantries.
   
• Jingle Race | December 7
  This road race funds Christmas gifts for Bridge House and winter outerwear for elementary students in Franklin.
  Last year’s total: $2,000 and 10 full sets of jackets, snow pants, hats, mittens, and boots
   
• Sarah Duval Game | January/February
  This memorial hockey game supports scholarships for students entering healthcare or education.
  Last year’s total: $6,000
   
• Walk-a-thon & Pop-up Snack Bar
  These events benefited the White Mountain National Forest.
  Raised $1,000

These events allow our students to meet community members, support local causes, and contribute beyond campus in meaningful ways.

Service at Holderness isn’t limited to big events—it’s built into our weekly rhythms: feeding the homeless at Bridge House, preparing and serving meals to Habitat for Humanity workers, and running the Coffee Cart and Snack Bar to fund the work.

Our students show up, week after week, not for credit or recognition—but because they care.

 A Community That Learns by Doing Good 

Families considering Holderness School often ask what distinguishes our students. The answer is simple: they don’t wait to grow up to make change, they’re doing it now. They manage budgets, plan events, cook meals, travel to serve, and build relationships with the people they support.

Our Service Council reflects who we are as a school: grateful for our community, aware of our responsibility to others, and committed to uplifting people—whether they’re in town or across the world.

If you're looking for a school where students don’t just learn about service and leadership but live it—this is who we are.

About the Author

Pam Mulcahy P '17
Community Service Coordinator, Mathematics Faculty, and Associate Director of College Counseling

Seasoned educator Pam Mulcahy received an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the University of New Hampshire and graduated cum laude with honors in English from Smith College. She has served in a variety of administrative positions, including Dean of Studies, Dean of Faculty, Assistant Head, and Mathematics Department Chair. 

Founder and director of a seminar for young teachers called NENTS 2.0 (initially in collaboration with the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia) and director for twenty years of a summer teacher training institute for new independent school teachers (NENTS 1.0) run by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), Pam cares deeply about the art and craft of teaching.

In her free time, she mostly reads and writes about teaching. She served for ten years on the board of Rectory School, and is working with Mt Holyoke College to design and offer courses run by current teachers to help people earn master's degrees in teaching at a more affordable cost.

At Holderness, Pam teaches math, runs our Community Service Program, and lives in Woodward Dorm with her husband, Bruce, their son, Max '17, and their standard poodle, Tweed.