Maroon Key Hosts Impactathon in Support of Animal Welfare

From April 26 to May 2, Hopkins students, faculty, and staff came together for Maroon Key’s annual Impactathon, a weeklong series of service and learning events centered around a meaningful cause. This year’s theme—Animal Welfare—inspired a wide range of opportunities for the community to make a positive impact both on and off campus.

Throughout the week, the community donated pet supplies for the New Haven Animal Shelter, explored animal rights through a literature and media display in the Calarco Library, and celebrated furry friends in the Pawcasso Pet Gallery, with one lucky contributor receiving a custom pet portrait by student artist Alan Xu ’26.

Hands-on opportunities included volunteering at the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, crafting dog treats for regional shelters, decorating birdhouses to support local avian habitats, and making sustainable dog toys. Students also hosted an animal-themed story time for young readers at Davis Street Academy. In collaboration with the Beekeeping and the Masai Club, volunteers built pollinator houses, and engaged in discussions about pollinators’ vital roles in our ecosystem. The pollinator houses were installed on the Thompson Quad near a new pollinator garden built by the Beekeeping Club.

On Wednesday, Apr. 30, Upper Heath came alive with student-run events including a spirited chess tournament benefiting the New Haven Animal Shelter, a bake sale, a speed debate with sweet prizes, and a visit from therapy dog Callie the Shetland Sheepdog and the team from Pet Partners. 

The week concluded with an assembly visit from Basil the puppy and her caregivers from the New Haven Animal Shelter, who spoke about the benefits of adopting a pet from a shelter. Later in the day, CT Votes for Animals gave a presentation, empowering students with tools to advocate for animal rights through civic engagement. And the final Impactathon event was a volunteer cleanup at Long Wharf Park on Saturday, May 3 in collaboration with the New Haven Parks Department, helping protect local habitats and shorelines. 

Junior School students participated in their own special events throughout the week, including themed advisory discussions, a movie night, and the opportunity to take part in both the chess tournament and therapy dog presentation.

Through creativity, compassion, and collaboration, Maroon Key’s 2025 Impactathon showcased the Hopkins community’s commitment to making a meaningful difference—one pawprint at a time.

Click here to browse and download images from the week.