A Culture of Caring at Ss. Robert & William

Students helping others.

Over the past 2+ years, both the Ss. Robert & William School and the Parish School of Religion have been participating in a student “Stewardship Giving Project.” Each student receives a box of Children’s envelopes at the beginning of each school year and are encouraged to participate by donating funds to help those who are less fortunate and in need.

This project has realized an average of $3,000 in donations per year. School students bring their envelopes to the weekly school Mass and the PSR students bring their donation to any weekend Mass or to class. The money is combined and then donated to a specific charity (chosen by the students) each month. Monroe states, “Students pay attention in class and at Mass. They learn about the needs that are here locally, as well as those far beyond the walls of this city. Discussions take place in classrooms and an organization is chosen as a result of this dialogue.”

The impressive list of recipients include: Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, St. Jude’s Hospital, Hospice of  the Western Reserve, Food for the Poor, Schools for Water in Africa, Catholic Charities to the Rosemary Center, Akron Children’s Hospital, 40 Days for Life, a mission in El Salvador, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Catholic Relief Services, Birthright, the parish’s Outreach Program and the Sr. Dorothy Kazel Scholarship Fund, and the Diocese of Cleveland’s  “Rooted in Faith Campaign.”  Their giving is rounded out by a donation made in memory of a relative of a faculty member.

“The amount donated is not important,” states Monroe. She goes on to say, “What is important is to teach our children - at a young age - to be generous with their many blessings. By doing so, they become “good stewards” of their God-given gifts. We want them to appreciate what they have, and to be able to recognize the needs of those less fortunate."

In the classroom adjacent to Mrs. Monroe,  faculty member, Mrs. Karol Pfeifer, is busy organizing a holiday food drive for The Euclid Hunger Center. This is the second year Pfeifer and the 5th and 6th graders involved in the National Elementary Honor society have taken on this project. These students are invited to join the Society if they meet certain criteria, e.g., holding a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for three grading periods and providing letters of recommendation. Equally important, is that these students be involved in service, as this organization holds stewardship in high regard.

Pfeifer states, “We plan on doing some type of service project each season. The members are excited about these drives and they encourage other students to participate. I feel it is important to raise awareness of important issues in our community.”

This culture of caring at Ss. Robert and William school and parish is flourishing. It seems to have changed the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” to “It takes a child to raise a village.”

Ellen Ivory

Euclid Chamber of Commerce Trustee, Euclid Hospital Leadership Council, Euclid Symphony Orchestra Trustee

Read More on Non-Profits
Volume 3, Issue 11, Posted 10:06 AM, 12.18.2012