Students serve, soldiers, families By Tracy Crane For The Sun News

St. Michael’s Catholic School and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 8980 teamed up to raise money to help others over the holidays.

The funds were used to purchase prepaid phone cards for the troops in Iraq. More than $4,300 was collected.

“We even passed the hat at my golf group and got $355 to give to the effort,” said Wachesaw Plantation member Paul Strealer. The students in the school handmade 323 Christmas cards to accompany the phone cards being sent overseas. The Knights purchased 340 6-minute international cards for a Marine hospital/medical facility in Iraq.

Students also became involved in the Help for Kids program. Classes adopted families and brought presents to school.

“The kids really got involved in giving to others and we are helping at least five families this year,” said Anne Harris, mother and volunteer coordinator of the efforts. “It’s part of teaching the meaning of Christmas and of giving to others.”

The school’s principal, Sister Roberta Thoen, who was recuperating from surgery, received $1,780 — an early Christmas gift — for her order’s missions in Rwanda.

The money will be used by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur to purchase a cow to provide milk for the mission children.

“Instead of presents, everyone joined in to help,” said kindergartener Elizabeth Harris.
“It is part of our service to help other people.”

Photo: St. Michael’s Catholic School students Ryan Harris (standing, from left) Shawn Morris and Zac Harris, Elizabeth Miller, Anthony Altomari and Elizabeth Harris (kneeling) and Lindsey Williams gather to package some presents.