Thank You! Giving Tuesday, Giving Week, and a Special Project from Katie McKeon '19!

First, A Note of Thanks...

Thank you for making #GivingTuesday an incredible success! Our community of alumni, parents, grandparents, friends, and partners helped us to surpass our goal with contributions totaling more than $66,000 . Your gift will help to support academics initiatives to enhance learning; technology in our classrooms and labs; scholarships for students in need; athletics and extracurricular activities; and to sustain our Catholic mission and identity through our Campus Ministry. All are vital programs that help us #GrowIntoGreat!

St Joes Turns Giving Tuesday Into "Giving Week"  As you were asked to give back to St Joes on Giving Tuesday, our students, alumni, and staff spent the week giving back to those in need. Click any image to view additional photos on our SmugMug page.

Tuesday, November 27

Holy Infant Church, Orange, CT Stephanie Cohen '88 volunteered to assist with meal-packing at the Holy Infant Church in Orange. The meals were delivered the next day as part of a midnight run to New Haven!

Wednesday, November 28

Holy Trinity Catholic Academy Students and staff members volunteered to create American Flag cards and stars for our service members as part of Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude was introduced to our school community by Max Kimmel '21.

Operation Hope, Fairfield, CT Three alumni - Sasha Russell '01, Sandy Miro '99, and Christina Ciufo '11 - volunteered to spend time at Operation Hope. Operation Hope’s Food Pantry provides over 123,000 meals a year to our neighbors in need. Each month they provide food to more than 200 families, including 100 children. The Pantry is almost completely stocked and run by generous and dedicated volunteers, like our alumni! Sandy commented: “It was a nice opportunity to serve the community and learn about Operation Hope. I look forward to helping them more in the near future and being a part of the Alumni Service Committee.”

Midnight Run to New Haven John Corraro '11, Theresa Swatt '19, and Jordan Smith volunteered together at a midnight run to the ESMS Men's Shelter in New Haven. Our Cadets distributed much needed food and supplies to those in need.

Thursday, November 29

St Catherine of Sienna School Operation Gratitude continued! Students and staff members volunteered to create special cards for service members with St Catherine's Kindergarten class. These cards will be sent to service members along with candy and other small supplies.

Thomas Merton Center Students and staff members volunteered at the Eat Smart Pantry at the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport. The group restocked the pantry, sorted through fruits and vegetables, and organized shelves. SJ Staffer, Elvira Cadrin didn't expect to meet an old friend while volunteering (what a small world!). SJ plans to continue our relationship with the Merton Center in the future.

Community Soup Kitchen Alumni - John Corarro '11 and Sasha Russell '01 - volunteered at the Community Soup Kitchen in New Haven serving lunch to those in need.

Friday, November 30

Prom Dress Swap! The perfect ending to Giving Week -- Katie McKeon '19 has organized a special service project for St Joes -- a Prom Dress Swap ! Watch the video to hear Katie tell you all about it! Click here to view Katie's flyer and find out how you can be a part of this great initiative!

Our service projects continue year-round! Click here to learn how to get involved in upcoming projects or contact our staff: Students & Parents Contact: Jordan Smith, Director of Campus Ministry at jsmith@sjcadets.org Alumni Contact: Sasha Russell '01, Assistant Director of Advancement at srussell@sjcadets.org

Stay Connected! @SJCadets #GrowingIntoGreat #ItMatters

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