Students Bring Joy to Our Residents All Year Long
In heartwarming displays of compassion and community spirit, students from around the DC metro area bring joy to our Residents throughout the year. Their kind gestures remind us of the importance of caring for the aged poor in our society.
Local schools and parishes, like Annunciation, Catholic University of America, St. Peter’s and St. Anthony’s, created thoughtful Valentine’s Day cards and goody bags filled with chocolates as surprises for each Resident. These thoughtful gestures and visits brought forth many smiles, showing our Elders that they are cherished and remembered.
During Advent, several local schools, like, St. John’s College High School and DeMatha Catholic High School, joined in the spirit of giving. Under the dedicated guidance of Mrs. Erin Bright and Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T. from the campus ministry office, students organized an incredible food drive that made a significant impact. With drop-off locations set us at the school and throughout the community, this initiative collected an astonishing 16,000 items to be shared among five local nonprofits, including our Home.
On delivery day, Fr. Josh and Mrs. Bright, accompanied by four enthusiastic sophomore student volunteers, arrived at our loading dock to smiles from the Little Sisters and our Superior, Mother Margaret Regina. We were overjoyed to see a large Enterprise van filled with essential items such as commercial-sized bags of rice, cereal, pasta, canned vegetables, water, and more.
The DeMatha team worked diligently to unload and assist the sisters in sorting and storing everything in the food pantry. “We are so very grateful to Erin, Fr. Josh, these young volunteers, and the entire DeMatha community for their help in filling our pantry,” said Mother Margaret Regina.
The St. John’s College High School choir and orchestra also visited, and under the skilled direction of Kate Fernandez, the students performed a delightful array of music that brought smiles to our Residents. Their rendition of Nat King Cole’s “Caroling, Caroling” resonated beautifully through our halls, lifting spirits and spreading joy. Additionally, the talented Alessandra Cuffaro, strings instructor, led her students in several lovely Christmas pieces, creating an atmosphere of celebration and community. The school’s cadets, members of the Cadet Corps Leadership Program, under the direction of Mark Erwin, delivered bags and boxes of essential goods they collected during a school-wide donation drive in December.
These contributions from young people embody the true essence of compassion – coming together to support one another and spread kindness. We deeply appreciate the support from Catholic University, DeMatha, St. John’s, St. Peter’s, St. Anthony’s, and all the schools and parishes that uplift us throughout the year. Their efforts not only provide essential resources but also bring joy and a sense of belonging to our Residents, reminding us that every act of kindness, big or small, can make a significant difference.
Thank you to all the students, teachers, parishes, families, and communities who dedicate their time and resources to brighten the lives of our Elderly in need. Together, we are creating a loving community where the Residents feel valued and remembered all year long!
A special thank you to Perry Melazzo for the beautiful long stem roses and Mark Gundersen for the sweet Valentine’s Day snacks.
