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Area Schools, Churches, Residents Collect For The Needy & Troops
BY CAROL ARNETT
As every Christmas season, Several North County schools and groups are getting into the giving spirit this holiday season. Schools have held food drives, churches have adopted families, and service organizations have helped soldiers overseas.
At Atonement Lutheran School, the seventh and eighth grades have joined to support a soldier from the St. Louis area who is stationed overseas. They have prepared a care package and written letters to him. The school also donates the chapel offering to charity three times a year.
At Sacred Heart Catholic School, the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades are visiting veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home. The school held an advent food drive, and the church collected Christmas gifts for those in need.
Students at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne School have helped a former student earn a Girl Scout award. Her project was collecting toys for a homeless shelter, and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne students helped her with donations.
Students have also adopted several families. They collected money and the staff will go shopping to buy gifts for all members of the families adopted. Students have also been collecting gifts and sending cards to soldiers in Iraq. Ann McKay, with St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, said that the father of one of the families at the school was serving in Iraq and was helping to coordinate their efforts.
Armstrong students collected nickels for the Marines’ Toys for Tots drive.
The Knights of Columbus held a chili supper to raise money for soldiers, and Mayor Robert Lowery gave his time to help the Soldier’s Wish List organization at their fundraiser.
“They’ve been here the last three years, and we’ve helped them out before,” Lowery said. “It’s important to support our troops and show them that we’re thinking of them.”
On Saturday, volunteers collected monetary gifts and sold calendars at the Bob Evans restaurant on N. Lindbergh for the troops.
The Emergency Response Ministry (TEAM) has benefited from some holiday food drives, but welcomes donations anytime. Donations can be brought to the TEAM office, at 265 St. Catherine Street in Old Town, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturdays.
A spokesperson for TEAM said they would gladly accept any food items or personal care items. They can use soap and paper products. They can always use pasta and pasta sauce, canned tuna, canned chili, or any canned goods with meat in them.
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