SHARE
THE HOUR

A Staples High School club · Everyone is welcome

One hour.
A connection
that matters.

Staples High School students share stories, activities, and encouragement with younger students at Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School in Norwalk. Students from other schools and community members are welcome, too.

Volunteer with usLearn about the club
A volunteer reading a book with two younger students
A Staples High School club
Westport, Connecticut · Open to others
Sharing time. Sharing stories.
Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School
1 Meadow St Ext, Norwalk, CT 06854

About Share The Hour

Small moments.
Meaningful connections.

Volunteers and younger students sharing books around classroom tables

Share The Hour is a student-led community service club based at Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut. Students from other schools and community members are welcome to join us. Our mission is simple: to give our time to make a difference in the lives of younger students in our neighboring communities.

Through our partnership with Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School in Norwalk, our volunteers give their time to read with students in grades 2–4, lead fun activities, and build meaningful connections. We also organize special events throughout the year to give students new and exciting experiences.

At Share The Hour, we believe that giving just one hour of your time can have a lasting impact. Whether it’s reading a book together, helping with an activity, or simply being someone a younger student can look up to, every hour matters.

01 / READ

A story worth sharing

Reading together gives children a chance to practice, ask questions, and discover books they enjoy.

02 / CREATE

Room to explore

Creative activities make learning hands-on and give students new ways to express themselves.

03 / CONNECT

Someone who shows up

Time, attention, and encouragement help build relationships that make children feel seen.

Our philosophy

Every child deserves encouragement.

Two smiling students sitting together at a classroom table

At Share The Hour, we believe that making a difference doesn’t always require money or something big—it can start with simply giving your time.

Our philosophy is built around the idea that one hour of kindness, attention, and connection can have a meaningful impact on a child.

By bringing high school students together with younger students, we hope to create relationships that encourage learning, build confidence, and make every child feel supported. Whether we are reading together, doing an activity, or sharing a new experience, our goal is to make each hour count.

Field Trips

New places. Shared experiences.

Our field trips give younger students and volunteers a chance to explore, learn, and make memories together beyond the classroom.

Suggest a Field Trip

Have a place in mind? Send our team your idea by email.

Share The Hour students and volunteers together on a field trip to a grocery store

Our leadership

Meet the Share The Hour team.

Co-Vice President

Sawyer Stoutenburg

Co-Vice President

Riley Appel

VP of Membership

Toby Slavin

VP of Hours

Ava McDonald

VP of Communication

Kylie Dorfman

Fundraising Chair

Cece Cohen

Assistant of Fundraising

Hope Vengrow

Treasurer

Dean Deckelbaum

Social Media

Nina Katke

Events Coordinator

Gray Levin

Get involved

There’s more than one way
to share an hour.

Volunteer your time

Share The Hour is a Staples High School club, and students from other schools and community members are welcome to join. Help with reading, prepare activities, and support younger students. Find out how to volunteer and express your interest.

Support our readers

New or gently used books suitable for grades 2–4 can bring more stories to our students. Engaging pictures and a range of reading levels are especially helpful. Visit our donation page to learn how to help.

Partner with us

Local businesses and community members can support our reading activities and special events. We welcome conversations about books, supplies, and opportunities to bring the community together.

What kinds of books are helpful?

Picture books, early readers, and approachable chapter books offer options for different reading abilities. Look for inviting stories, clear print, and books in good condition that children in grades 2–4 can enjoy.

Give an hour. Make an impact.

Interested in volunteering, donating books, or partnering with us?

Contact Share The Hour

sharethehourct@gmail.com