Diocesan schools in the Arlington diocese have service projects and fundraisers aplenty to mark this Thanksgiving.
St. Leo the Great School, Fairfax:
First graders at St. Leo the Great School filled “blessing bags” Nov. 20. They were filled with items such as travel toiletries, socks, handwarmers, tissues and snacks for those in need. Third graders also packed “power pack” meal bags to donate to Food for Others, a nonprofit in Fairfax that serves students facing food insecurity on the weekends. St. Leo middle schoolers will use additional Power Pack bags at the St. Leo’s pantry, where they organize food for parish distribution to those in need.
St. Francis of Assisi School, Triangle:
Students at St. Francis of Assisi participated in a food drive Nov. 1-17. Each grade sponsored a nonperishable food item, and additional donations were gratefully accepted. The drive yielded more than 60 bags of food. Donations will go to the parish outreach ministry, St. Francis House. Established in 1992, the ministry serves low-income and disadvantaged families in Eastern Prince William County and provides more than 6,000 pounds of food per month, according to the school.
St. Michael School, Annandale:
The Parent-Teacher Organization of St. Michael School hosted its annual Turkey Trot fundraiser Nov. 21. In prior years, the students walked around the campus, and parents pledged donations towards the school fundraising efforts. Since last year, the school added races and a dance-off. Preschool children started the day by being chased around by “turkeys.” Students in K-8 participated in races followed by an award ceremony. The day ended with a dance-off between teachers, students and parents. The funds raised this year will be used by the PTO for student enrichment activities.
St. Mark School, Vienna:
St. Mark School celebrates a monthly virtue. In honor of Thanksgiving, the school focused on the virtue of gratitude. To practice the virtue, the school has organized a clothing drive, sponsored by the kindergarten class, and a winter coat drive, sponsored by the St. Mark Parent, Teacher, Parishioner Organization. The school and parish collected more than 260 coats. The coats went to multiple local charities, including Catholic Charities Christ House, So Others Might Eat, the Community for Creative Nonviolence homeless shelter, Covenant House, the Catholic Worker, the LAMB center and the National Center for Children and Families.
