WOONSOCKET— This year, Mount Saint Charles Academy made Christmas food baskets for 38 needy Woonsocket families whose names were on a list sent from the Community Care Alliance.
Throughout the Advent season, the entire Mount community brought in food donations to fill each basket.
Anyone could also take a child’s name (whose family was receiving a food basket) off the MSC Giving Tree and fill the baskets with toys as well. As the toys were wrapped, they filled up Mr. Edwin Burke’s office, principal of Mount Saint Charles, until the baskets were assembled.
On Tuesday, December 20, Mount students, parents, faculty, and staff delivered the baskets to the 38 families after school.
“The liturgical season of Advent is a time of expectant longing for the coming of Jesus who is, for Catholic Christians, the greatest of all gifts,” Deacon Anthony Gagliani, Director of Campus Ministry at the Academy, said. “This annual event provides Mount students an opportunity to pause and to reflect upon the multitude of gifts and blessings they have each been given as they share basic blessings of food and gifts with some families in our local community of Woonsocket who are in need. It also aids students and the Mount community as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord.”
Mount Campus Ministers Jamie Lynch, Meghan Jarret, Evan McWilliams and Shannon Stillwell were specifically instrumental during the course of this year’s campaign.
“I’m so proud of the Mount community for coming together for this year’s Christmas Basket campaign,” Jarret said. “Our hope is to bring cheer to these families in need during the holiday season.”
Jamie Lynch also spoke about the Mount community how important charity is, especially to the students.
“Campus Ministry and this Christmas Basket Drive exemplify the true meaning of community service. Mount and its student body will continue through the years to serve the community of Woonsocket and to demonstrate the true meaning of faith and charity.”
