Cavaliers Care is a nationwide volunteerism initiative based on one of the core principles of a Jeffersonian society -- citizenship. Alumni clubs across the country simultaneously participate in local service projects during April to coincide with the celebration of Mr. Jefferson's birthday.

For the past two years we have volunteered at KIPP Academy Nashville, a charter public middle school in East Nashville founded and led by UVA alum Randy Dowell. This is an unbelievably special school where 120 fifth and sixth graders from underserved backgrounds are experiencing a culture of learning that is putting them on a path to college. In 2005, The Nashville Scene named the "KIPPsters" the Nashvillians of the Year.

KIPP is housed in an old public school building that has been neglected over the years. Each year we have planted flowers, mulched, and fixed up the grounds to make the facility as special as the learning taking place. This year, our landscaping helped prepare the school for a visit from state legislators.

To learn more about the school and its mission, visit the KIPP Academy website.

Here are some photos from our recent events and from our Cavs Care archives!

Thanks to everyone "Hoos" helped us make Cavaliers Care a very special day in Nashville!

Service projects from previous years include manning a water station for the Country Music Marathon in 2003 ad 2004 and landscaping at the Martha O'Bryan Center in 2005.