Project Snowflake: A 30-Year Tradition of Compassion at Tatnall Lower School

Project Snowflake: A 30-Year Tradition of Compassion at Tatnall Lower School

For nearly three decades, Project Snowflake has been a beloved tradition at The Tatnall School, bringing together students, families, and faculty in a shared commitment to service, empathy, and community. Launched in 1995, Project Snowflake is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: teaching children that generosity, kindness, and care for others are essential parts of who we are and how we live.

This year, that tradition reached new heights.

In partnership with the Ministry of Caring, the Tatnall community adopted 95 children, ensuring each child received new toys and outfits during the holiday season. For our Lower School students, Project Snowflake is not just about giving. It is about connection, intention, and understanding the impact of their actions.

Students in grades 1 through 5 traveled to Target, where they thoughtfully selected items for the child they had been matched with, carefully considering interests, needs, and age. For our youngest learners, kindergarteners experienced the magic of giving in a way designed just for them. Target was brought directly to campus, transforming the Family Room into a festive shopping space where students could “shop” for their children and begin to understand the joy of giving.

Across the Lower School, every student decorated gift bags by hand, adding drawings, messages, and personal touches that turned each gift into something uniquely meaningful.

The spirit of Project Snowflake extended far beyond the classroom. Lower School families generously donated nearly 1,000 gently used toys, stuffed animals, and winter gear, allowing Tatnall to support even more children and families served by the Ministry of Caring.

Tatnall’s Senior Class also joined the effort, adopting several children and reinforcing the school’s deeply held belief that service and compassion are values nurtured at every age. Their involvement served as a powerful reminder of the continuity of these traditions from a child’s earliest years through graduation.

A defining moment of this year’s Project Snowflake came when student representatives from grades 1 through 5, accompanied by two teachers, traveled to the Ministry of Caring to deliver the gifts in person. Beyond dropping off donations, students spent time playing with children in the daycare center, forming connections and seeing firsthand the joy their efforts created.

These moments reflect Tatnall’s commitment to educating the whole child. Through experiences like Project Snowflake, students learn empathy, responsibility, and the importance of engaging meaningfully with the world around them.

The scale and heart behind this year’s Project Snowflake did not go unnoticed. The extraordinary outpouring of generosity from the Tatnall community drew the attention of 6abc News, who visited campus to capture and share the story. Their coverage highlighted what Tatnall families have long known: service is not an add-on here. It is woven into the fabric of our school.

You can check out the feature here.

As Project Snowflake continues into its 30th year, it remains a powerful expression of Tatnall’s values. It reflects a school community where students are known, loved, and inspired, and where learning extends beyond academics into compassion, citizenship, and character.

At Tatnall, traditions like Project Snowflake remind us that educating students for life means helping them understand not only how to succeed, but how to give back, care deeply, and lead with empathy.

Thank you to the many teachers, faculty members, families, and students who made this happen at such an incredible scale!