Catholic
schools exceed their Charities’ goal
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
RADNOR — There are 1,140,000 nickels in $57,000.
At press time, that’s how much money Catholic grade school and high
school students had raised in this year’s “Nickels for Neighbors”
campaign, and it’s no small change.
As in previous years, the youngsters pooled their money at a pep rally-like
event at Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor the week preceding
Catholic Charities Appeal Sunday. The fourth annual rally, held Tuesday,
April 29, included a Carroll band, cheerleaders and school mascot, as
well as a juggler, balloon-maker and stilt-walker.
There was much to cheer about. This year’s Nickels for Neighbors
total was $12,000 more than last year — and nearly double the amount
raised in 2006.
“Isn’t it great to know that the message of Jesus Christ is
reaching the youth in our schools?”
That was the reaction of Deacon John K. Hunter, executive director of
the archdiocesan Office for Development, which administers the annual
Catholic Charities Appeal.
St. Christopher School in Northeast Philadelphia raised the most money
during the Nickels for Neighbors drive — $2,946.94.
“It’s a big honor, because we are helping people who need
it,” said eighth-grader Monica Sucharski, St. Christopher’s
student council president. “Everyone cares about helping other people
and we’re not selfish.
“Jesus helped everyone and He cared about everybody. We should try
to live like Him,” Sucharski added. “By donating all this
money, we did that.”
Other elementary schools that attained high fundraising totals and attended
the rally included SS. Philip and James, Exton, $2,000; Nativity of Our
Lord, Warminster, $1,797; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton, $1,723;
St. Cyprian, Philadelphia, $1,548; St. Mary Magdalen, Media, $1,506.92
and St. Maximilian Kolbe, West Chester, $1,361.44.
Michael Dillon, a junior at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless
Hills, described the rally as fun. Given the students’ ordinarily
hectic schedules, “It’s nice to step back and realize what’s
really important,” Dillon said. “We are concerned and really
do care about giving back to the community and helping people who are
less fortunate.”
Although officially titled “Nickels for Neighbors,” the campaign
includes coins and bills of all denominations. This year, the schools
presented checks for the money they raised.
Because many of the students at St. Mary Magdalen School in Media have
been particularly blessed in life, the school modified its campaign name
to “Quarters for Neighbors,” said the principal, Patricia
A. Miniszak.
The students happily met the principal’s challenge to give back
in thanksgiving for all they have received.
Miniszak said some of the students told her that to raise the money, they
read bedtime stories to younger siblings or pitched in with household
chores.
“I’m very pleased that our young people have the opportunity
to participate in this very important corporal work of mercy,” said
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, the Appeal’s chairman.
The Bishop said he was also pleased that the youth again exceeded the
previous year’s total.
The money raised by Nickels for Neighbors will be counted toward the overall
goal of the Appeal — set at $10 million this year. All of the funds
raised by the Appeal benefit the needy of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
Bishop McFadden said a highlight of the rally for him was the contribution
made by youngsters from St. Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments
in Philadelphia, who, themselves, are Appeal recipients.
“It was such a poignant moment,” Bishop McFadden said. “Those
who were being helped were reaching into their own pockets to make sure
that others who are challenged also have something.”
There’s
still time to help
Catholic Charities Appeal
Catholic Charities Appeal Sunday was May 4. If you didn’t contribute
on that date, it’s not too late.
Donations may be made in a variety of ways, including directly to the
Appeal office and online.
Donations may be from an individual or a family; as memorial or honorarium
gifts; as bequests and planned gifts, or as pledged gifts or gifts of
securities. They may be made through participating employee campaigns
or as matching employee-employer gifts. Consult your company about matching
your donation.
Ninety-five percent of the money raised in the annual Appeal is spent
on the Appeal’s intended recipients — the needy of the Philadelphia
Archdiocese. The remaining five percent goes to the Appeal’s operating
budget.
For more information, check out the Catholic Charities Appeal Web site,
www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org. Correspond by standard mail to the Catholic
Charities Appeal office, at the Office for Development, 222 N. 17th St.,
Suite 708, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or call (215) 587-3651.