Service projects filled the classrooms and hallways at St. Mary School in Williamstown on Nov. 17, as teachers and students came together for their third annual school-wide day of service.
Each classroom put together a different service project, with items donated by school district families. The event was part of national Discover Catholic Schools Week from Nov. 12 to 18, an opportunity to share how St. Mary instills in its students the value of service to others and living the Gospel message.
Some of the service projects included:
- Making blankets for those without heat
- Supplies for new moms, pets in shelters and those undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
- Cards and gift bags for seniors.
- Donations for single homeless parents getting back on their feet
- Gifts of warmth for those in a nursing home.
- Food for Our Lady of Peace Parish Thanksgiving food drive
“This year, we decided that we would collect items for Family Promise of Southwest New Jersey, an affiliate of a nationwide organization whose mission is to help homeless working families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response” seventh grade teacher Jennifer Bottino explained.
“This year, we collected household items that families can use when they are placed in temporary housing through the organization. We explained to the students that we often forget that there are so many people in our county that are in need. Sometimes we forget this, because we don’t see these people in need on the streets.”
“… We were asked to bring in cleaning supplies, bathroom items, and paper goods for the people who are homeless and currently living in the family promise homes,” noted seventh grader Laney Rilen. “It was important to me, because it was a chance to help others in need, which is a way we can live like Christ.”
The second and third grade classes at St. Mary provided “gifts of warmth.”
“They gathered blankets, non-slip socks, hats and gloves for the residents of Mystic Meadows Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Little Egg Harbor,” third-grade teacher Nancy Rinehimer said. ” … We talked with our classes about how there are people who sometimes need special care as they get older. Sometimes, they don’t have family members available to bring them supplies.
“We know that Jesus asks us to help others when we can,” she added, “and we thought we would be able to help by collecting items, praying for the residents and making them cards.”
Third graders Vivian Spasari and Bianca DelGozza shared their thoughts on the project.
“…We wanted to help them get warmer,” Spasari said. “It was a great idea, because it’s nice to help people there get warmer. I felt good.”
“I liked that we were helping people out,” DelGozza said. “It’s starting to get really cold out and they need these things. That is what Jesus and God do. I feel like the people will be really grateful for all of the blankets, hats and scarves we collected for them.”
The fifth and sixth grade classes chose to make snack bags for chemo patients through The Unforgotten Haven.
“On the day of the project, each student made a card and packed a snack bag with pretzels, cookies, juice, cheese crackers, mints, candies, lip balm and tissues,” sixth grade teacher Sarah Coffey pointed out. “We were able to share with the students a little bit of what someone going through chemo might experience.
“… It felt good making cards for those who are sick,” sixth-grader Aristides Vafiadis observed. “It brightens up their day knowing that people care about them. We also made gift bags for them filled with awesome treats, and who doesn’t like candy?”
The kindergarten and first grade classes collected items for new mothers in need and supplies for pets in shelters, also for Unforgotten Haven. The fourth grade class provided cards and treats for seniors at Spring Oak of Berlin Assisted Living Community and Memory Care.
Eighth graders collected blankets for Our Lady of Peace Parish, and the school’s 3- and 4-year-old preschool classes collected food for Our Lady of Peach Parish’s annual Thanksgiving food drive.
