Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hats for the homeless and cards for homebound parishioners were created by students at St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington Nov. 27. They volunteered for more than 300 hours of service at 13 sites throughout the Diocese of Arlington for the school’s 16th annual service day on #GivingTuesday.

The day started with a prayer and commissioning service in the school cafeteria. Students then joined parents and chaperones to head to their assigned site.

Seventh- and eighth-graders sorted donated items and cleaned at Christ House in Alexandria. At Sunrise Assisted Living in Arlington they played games with the seniors and helped decorate for Christmas. Students sorted and organized donated glasses at Lion’s Club Eyeglass Recycling in Arlington, while others interacted with pre-schoolers at Little Beginnings Pre-School Child Care Center in Arlington.  

Sixth-graders created Christmas cards for homebound parishioners and prepared sandwiches for the homeless.

Other students sorted coats collected in the STM Cares coat drive. Students, including sixth-grader Davina Thongprasert, hand-stitched hats for local families.

“I feel happy that I’m helping people in need because there are people who don’t have homes and are cold,” she said.

Ana Lucia Lico, a parent volunteer, taught Thomgprasert how to make the hats.

“It is very special for me not only to help but to be able to share a little knowledge helping the students learn how important it is to serve others,” said Lico. 

Sixth-grade teacher Nancy Meehan led the annual service day. “Each month we focus on a different virtue schoolwide and for November it is service. The goal of our service projects is to make the practice of Catholic virtues a way of life for each student,” she said. “We are fostering character formation in our students and want to instill a desire to practice Catholic virtues both at home and at school.”