The Darden School tradition that’s given back to the community for 20 years

The initiative has two components. Each fall, Darden students host an auction to raise money for supplies and equipment needed for the spring project. The funds also help compensate professional contractors who handle more technical tasks, such as plumbing or appliance installation, involved with “Build Day.”

Abby Shipp, a second-year Darden School student and the Building Goodness in April’s vice president of communications, said the fall 2025 auction raised more than $80,000.

“It’s a blast,” Shipp said. “Each section at Darden auctions off different items, whether it’s like a wine and charcuterie night at someone’s apartment, or a lake house day on Lake Monticello or someone trains you at the gym.

A Building Goodness in April crew takes a break during its 2007 project. The Building Goodness Foundation has improved more than 150 homes in Charlottesville over the last two decades. (Contributed photo)

 

“Really, the options are kind of endless, but everyone bids on these items, raises a ton of money, and then we use that to support building.”

The Building Goodness Foundation, which also works in the Caribbean and Central America, has improved more than 150 homes in Charlottesville.

“We feel that Darden has given us a lot, whether it’s through the people we’ve met, the friendships we’ve established and the jobs and internships we’ll be pursuing after we graduate,” Shipp said. “And when something gives you that much, we should find ways to give back and pay it forward. That’s what (Building Goodness) is.”

For Sherman, the initiative has provided the additional purpose he sought.

“Sharing hardship is always a big thing in the military, from a leadership standpoint, how you bring together teams,” Sherman said. “And I think just getting everyone out there, sweating, putting some work into the community together – it brings everyone that much closer.”

This article was originally published in UVA Today.