It was an all-volunteer day Oct. 1 at Marian Catholic High School for its Third Annual Day of Service.
The half-day activities brought the nearly 800 students plus faculty together for a day of reflection and service helping those in the community who need assistance, and working on projects that helped build community.
on Joe Orr Road during the Day of Service event.
(Provided photo)
Linda Hansen, vice president of Ministry and Mission, said, “Doing service is core of what we are as a Catholic and Dominican school. It’s important to give kids an opportunity to serve not only in school but in the community.”
Hansen said tying the Day of Service to school, rather than outside of school, gave all students a chance to participate. Making these activities extracurricular events outside of the regular school day would deny students who have jobs, family responsibilities and participate in other Marian activities the chance to be a volunteer in service, she explained.
Student activities included planting 21 trees along Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights in conjunction with the Morton Arboretum; preparing meals for first responders; making blankets for the elderly and new born babies; cleaning at Cornerstone Christian and St. Paul Lutheran Churches; making pet toys for animal shelters.
Marian Catholic’s Day of Service. (Provided photo)
Marian Catholic sent 100 students to pack MannaPack meals for Feed My Starving Children, a global initiative. Others visited students at Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor and St. Agnes School in Chicago Heights.
Hansen, who plans the day’s events, said, the variety of the different activities is intended “to tap into care for others and caring for the earth. The dignity of the person and care of creation are part of Catholic social teaching.”