Giving back to the community is a longstanding tradition at Saint Bernard School. This philosophy of generosity and caring is deeply rooted in the school’s faith and values. This year, students decided to increase the type, duration and amount of their philanthropy.
Listening to Pat Varholy, from Saint Vincent de Paul Place, SBS students learned the need in our area is greater than they imagined. Mrs. Varholy explained that the need for food assistance and hygiene products has gone up dramatically across the 32 towns Saint Vincent de Paul Place serves.
Student groups pooled their resources and made donations not only to Saint Vincent de Paul Place, but to other area service agencies, too. The goal is to help those in need all year long in several ways.
“Families aren’t just hungry or need clothes and supplies during holidays, people need help all year long,” Sienna Sferrazza, president of the Student Ambassadors Club, said.
This fall, clubs, athletics and individual student groups across the campus raised awareness of need in the community and how the SBS family could help. The United Nations has established 17 goals to transform the world. SBS’ Lead4Change Club adopted two of the goals as its objectives for the year: “No Poverty. Zero Hunger.” They shared these aims with other school clubs. Students throughout SBS rallied to do their part and help lessen hunger and poverty in our area.
The Saints worked on different initiatives: a cereal collection, a book drive for Safe Futures, gently used sports equipment for the Groton Locker Room Program, the National Honor Society toy drive, and pies for the Subvets Groton Clubhouse. In addition, student groups raised funds for Louisiana Disaster relief and to help build a library in Mexico. 
Spurred on by Mrs. Varholy’s presentation, the clubs set a goal of collecting 500 pounds of food for Thanksgiving meals. To maintain an air of excitement and momentum, a friendly competition was created between the various SBS classes, faculty and staff. The ninth-grade class surpassed everyone by donating 400 lbs. of food. In total, 1,423 lbs. of food was collected, enabling Saint Vincent de Paul Place to give out more baskets of food than in recent memory.
The clubs then turned their efforts toward collecting items for “Christmas Miracle Bags.” They were hats, gloves, socks, undergarments, hygiene products, scarfs, pajamas and gift cards. From the sale of candygrams, the students presented Mrs. Varholy with a check for $400.
Student Government President, Maria Proulx, ’22, and Student Ambassador Club President Sferrazza, ’24, are working on additional programming to continue giving to Saint Vincent de Paul Place throughout the coming year. As Maria said, “If you have assets that can help those in need, you should do it.” You should give with compassion and humility. This is a way of life for the Saints.
By Kim Hodges
