Students give service

Each month, the students and staff of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, join together to help those in need through a special jean-day fundraiser. On these days, the students set aside their school uniform and “pay” for the comfort of wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Last month’s jean-day donation brought in over $1100 for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. In addition to the monthly jean days, each grade level offers service back to their own church community. “We give so often to others that we tend to overlook the needs right in our own community,” says Religion Assistant, Dona Callais. “Through the help of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, each grade level has chosen some means of service to give to their Parish. From polishing the church pews, creating prayer blankets, or assembling family rosaries for all baptism candidates, activities such as these help the students learn the value of being a part of community.” Other service projects for the Parish include visitations to the area nursing homes, reading as book buddies to the Parish Little Saints Program among a few. The December school-wide jean-day service project is scheduled to be a “Pajama Collection” benefiting St. Vincent De Paul. Students will bring in new pajamas in their own size to help needy families. For more information on St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, please visit their web site at www.staopcs.org.