The students of St. Joseph School continually work to embody the Corporal Works of Mercy and transform their community each day. The Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and illustrate how we should treat others, they include: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, giving shelter to travelers, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.
In addition to the Thanksgiving Food Drive and the Annual Coat Drive currently being conducted by the St. Joseph School Student Council, the school students and faculty recently organized two special projects to assist those in need. The first initiative was coordinated by Eighth Grade student, Sophia Buffone. After her aunt’s diagnosis with breast cancer, Sophia felt called to help in the fight against breast cancer. She worked with the school administration to plan a school-wide fundraiser that would benefit the Comprehensive Breast Center at the UMASS Medical Research Center. Sophia’s plan was to allow students to either dye a piece of their hair pink or wear pink hair extensions during the month of October if they donated to her fundraiser. In addition, school personnel and students could wear jeans on Fridays during October for making an additional donation, which contributed to the $325 she collected. When asked about the results, Sophia said, “Being at St. Joseph School has taught me to do the best and be the best I can be by serving others. In Mrs. Lefebvre’s Language Arts class, we had to write an essay about being a servant to others and I wanted to put myself to the test by putting my actions to the test. By doing this (fundraiser) I can now be happy and comforted that I was able to help people that were in need.”
Leading up to the Christmas Season, First-Grade teacher, Ms. Samantha Sampaio, also asked the entire school to participate in a special service project that she referred to as, “Buckets of Love.” Ms. Sampaio’s Aunt, Andrea Borrelli has worked as a case manager for the Department of Mental Health for almost 30 years and has seen firsthand how so many families struggle during the holiday season. Therefore, Ms. Sampaio teamed-up with her aunt and the Department of Mental Health to build unique “Buckets of Love” to bring smiles, warmth, and joy to others. Students and their families were asked to donate items such as blankets, warm socks, hats, gloves, scarves, hand warmers, personal hygiene items, cough drops, Walmart gift cards, children’s games, and more! Then, Ms. Sampaio’s First-Grade students and their Fifth-Grade buddies assembled over fifty “Buckets of Love.” It was certainly a mission of love!
To see more photos of our students working on their “Buckets of Love,” click HERE.
