Denver Catholic

EDUCATION I 11 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 PAYING IT FORWARD Students spread cheer with a 10 spot BY NISSA LAPOINT Students at All Souls School learned that with a $10 bill they could spread cheer and a helping hand to even the most needy. Eighth-graders at the Englewood school were given a summer assignment: to use a small amount of seed money and make the world a better place. William Santino, 13, shared his love of piano and played for hours on the 16th Street Mall downtown. He spent $10 to make posters and seek donations from those who stopped to listen. The $58 he raised was donated to House of Hope, a homeless shelter for women and children in Englewood. "I learned it feels really good to help people," Santino said. "You don't have to spend much time or money and you can turn that into a lot." The middle school's religion teacher, Cheryl Prevot, started the project after a parent's suggestion. She wanted students to put their faith in action and use ingenuity in the process. "We hoped that they could see how they could make a difference, see how taking a small amount of money could grow or be used to help others," she said. "The kids are already expected to do some service. But this was above and beyond that in that they also had to be creative." Jada Chavez and her classmate Mackenzie Golas partnered and spent $20 on birthday party decorations. With 100 balloons, four rolls of streamers, cards, candles and cupcakes, they walked into Craig Hospital in Englewood to give patients a memorable birthday party. The impact they had was far greater than the money they spent. "We decorated a room and we got all the people whose birthday was that month in the room and we talked to them and played board games," Golas said. "They all had smiles on their face and they seemed really happy." PHOTO PROVIDED KATIE MARCOUX of All Souls School in Englewood walks dogs to benefit the Dumb Friends League. Starting with $10, each eighth-grader at the school found ways to grow their money and donate it to a charitable cause. Many of the patients who suffered spinal cord and brain injuries did not have family nearby with whom they could celebrate. Soopers and donated to the food bank. "I learned that it feels really good to help other people in need," Seaman said. Colton Ramsey also bought $200 worth of groceries and donated to the same food bank. He raised the money by mowing and watering his neighbor's lawn while they were out of town. Tony Gervasini and a classmate spent several weekends selling lemonade, popsicles and water. He donated the $100 raised and gave it to the Kmart layaway program for students in need of school supplies. In total, the eighth-grade class raised $1,860 to benefit charities including the Denver Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities, Children's Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bicycles for Humanity, the Alzheimer's Association and more. "They were all so proud of the services they did and they took it seriously," Prevot said. "They learned that they really could make a difference with just something so small." "Just the smallest things can make people more happy and feel better," Chavez said. Fellow eighth-graders Katie Marcoux and Stefanie Frederickson wanted to raise money to benefit the Dumb Friends League. They started a dog walking and washing business. Throughout the summer they washed and groomed neighbors' dogs for $20 and charged $5 for a 30 minute-walk. They raised $410 and donated it. "It was really fun," Marcoux said. "My friend and I got to spend time together and we knew our service was helping a lot of people." Several other students devised ways to raise money for the All Souls Food Bank. Andrew Seaman organized a Cornhole tournament for his family and friends. Players threw bean bags toward a board 22 feet away and aimed for the hole in the middle. He collected $4 from each team and awarded the winners Nissa LaPoint: 303-715-3138; $10. He earned $70, which he nissa.lapoint@archden.org; www. used to buy groceries at King twitter.com/DCRegisterNissa Join schools and parishes Regis Jesuit teens stand side-by-side to stop bullying aiding flood victims Several schools and parishes have launched initiatives to collect needed items and donations for those impacted by the devastating Front Range flood. PHOTO PROVIDED REGIS Jesuit High School in Aurora kicked off its bullying prevention program, Side by Side, with a festival-like event for students, staff and the wider Regis Jesuit community Aug. 29 on the baseball fields on campus. The Side by Side program empowers communities to stand "side by side" to prevent bullying during critical years of development. At Regis Jesuit, students will meet in small groups six times a year with a faculty adviser to talk about issues of social and emotional learning, bullying and harassment, and responsible use of online platforms. In the accompanying photo, students from the girls division stand side by side during the kick-off event. For more information, visit www.regisjesuit.com/sidebyside. Both the school and parish at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Boulder have organized several initiatives, including donations to Harvest of Hope. The food bank, at 2960 Valmont Road in Boulder, is open 8:30 a.m.-10:30 am and 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, or call 720-382-1971 to arrange delivery. In addition to food, they need blankets, gloves, socks and travel-size toiletries. To offer financial assistance, mail checks payable to Sacred Heart of Jesus with "Flood Relief" in the memo to 2312 14th St., Boulder, CO 80304; or to designate a donation to a school family, note "Flood Relief—SHJ School." Call 303-442-6158 for more information. Holy Family High School in Broomfield has tubs in its lobby for people to drop food, toiletries and clothing for families in its own community and surrounding areas. Items will be collected until Sept. 27 and delivered to Harvest of Hope Pantry, a food bank in Boulder. Items most needed are blankets, snacks, perishable and canned foods, socks and gloves. The school also established a fund for monetary donations. Checks may be made to the school with "Food Aid" in the memo line and mailed to 5195 W. 144th Ave., When St. John Evangelist School in Broomfield, CO 80020. For details, call Loveland was closed Sept. 12-16 due 303-410-1411. to flooding of the Big Thompson River, students collected four van-loads of St. Louis School at 925 Grant Ave. in non-perishable food, blankets, coats, Louisville is collecting baby items for camping gear and bedding for flood flood victims. New baby items such victims, according to Principal Chrisas diapers, wipes and baby food can tine Champlin. Items were delivered be dropped off at the school by Sept. to the city of Loveland's evacuation 27 to be delivered to Catholic Chari- center at the former Hewlett-Packard ties to distribute to those in need. Call campus where several students and the school at 303-666-6220 with any their families stayed to unload and sort questions. donations. The school is gearing up for another collection drive. For more information, call 970-635-5830.

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