About Our Organization

The Andover Service Initiative began in the fall of 2022, when a group of eighth graders spent their Sunday afternoons cleaning up AVIS trails. What started as a simple cleanup effort soon grew into a larger mission to serve and uplift their community. This commitment gained momentum in January 2023 when one member was selected as Andover’s Project 351 ambassador. This statewide program, which empowers eighth graders to lead community service initiatives, provided the group with a platform to expand their impact. Their first major project—a clothing drive at Wood Hill Middle School—collected over 50 bags of new and gently used clothes, highlighting both community generosity and their growing dedication to service. In the fall of 2023, the group undertook their most ambitious project yet—a town-wide food drive for Bread and Roses, a local pantry facing a 1000% increase in demand. With the group split across multiple high schools and new members joining, they organized collection sites at Phillips Academy, Andover High School, and Wood Hill Middle School, ultimately gathering over 200 pounds of food and $300 in donations—enough to support more than 100 families during the holidays. Driven to sustain and expand their impact, the group officially founded the Andover Service Initiative in December 2023. With a mission to empower the next generation of local change-makers, they continue to lead service efforts—proving that small actions, fueled by purpose and teamwork, can drive lasting community change.