News
Second Annual Day of Service
As March came in like a Lion with gray, overcast skies, frigid temperatures and the threat of snow lingering in the air, over 240 students, faculty members and parents participated in our Second Annual Day of Service. At St. Thomas the Apostle School, our curriculum is based on the Gospel values with service as a cornerstone. Jesus asks us to reach out to those in need, to serve each other with kindness and compassion, to love one another as he loves us.
The Day of Service provided us with an opportunity to live this message through service to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Albany Children’s Hospital, and in partnership with a number of Catholic Charities agencies. “We’re very proud of our emphasis on community service,” said Thomas Kane, Principal of St. Thomas School. “Our students get a chance to go out in the community and put their lessons about giving back to good use, helping people right here in our communities.”
Students in the preschool class created cards for the nearly 150 members of our Parish community who may be home-bound, in the hospital, or residents at a local nursing home. Their whimsical “monster” card adorned with googly eyes bears the message “God loves You!” The Kindergarten and First grade students created “make it yourself” bags which contained supplies from glue to pipe cleaners and everything in between to make a several crafts including paper dolls, a transportation item such as a car, journals and puppets. The bags that they created will be delivered to the Children’s hospital and are sure to provide hours of entertainment.
Students from second through eighth grade spent the day volunteering at Catholic Charities soup kitchens, food pantries, senior housing sites, and outreach offices. Kailee, a 7th grade student described her experience at Mercy House as eye opening. Mercy House is the only all women’s homeless emergency shelter in the Greater Capital Region. They provide a safe, temporary shelter for women and women with children who are in crisis. “Visiting Mercy House really made me stop and think about the things that others don’t have that I take for granted.” While at Mercy House, Kailee and her classmates sorted toys and organized the children’s play area in addition to some light cleaning. At the conclusion of their visit to Mercy House Kailee, her classmates and the chaperones who attended created a list of ways that they can continue sharing with Mercy House beyond this visit.
“This is a terrific collaboration,” said Sister Betsy Van Deusen, CSJ, who is Catholic Charities’ director of community partnerships. “These children bring a wonderful energy and enthusiasm to our work, and thanks to their help the Catholic Charities programs will really benefit.”
In addition to the Day of Service, St. Thomas the Apostle School holds numerous school-wide events, educational opportunities, and small fundraisers throughout the year to emphasize service.
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