Service was emphasized in the National Catholic Schools Week theme of “Faith. Excellence. Service.” at Westerville St. Paul School.

The school teamed with the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference to create a drive benefitting the homeless in central Ohio. Each grade level set a goal of items to be donated for the week. The effort brought in more than 4,500 donations and eight carloads of items to be distributed to the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, Holy Family Soup Kitchen, St. James the Less Food Pantry and St. Lawrence Haven.

The idea originated after St. Vincent de Paul Conference president Jane Nieman and her husband, vice president Jerry Nieman, told the school about the needs of the area’s homeless.

“They knew we were a large school, and we did a couple of projects with them before. They laid out some of the needs the homeless have,” said St. Paul teacher and technology coordinator Colleen Tegeler.

Westerville St. Paul students Cora DeFrancisco (left) and Ryan Paes stack and carry food products to give to those in need.

Conference members regularly visit the homes of people needing assistance, but during the past few years the conference became increasingly aware of the homeless problem facing many in Columbus.

“My wife and I talked to the school about getting young people involved so they could become aware of the problem. We sat down with the principal and a few teachers,” Jerry Nieman said.

Cameron Moore (left) and Andrew Irwin stand behind some of the collected items. Photos courtesy St.  Paul School

Socks and fitness mats to sleep on were among the most-needed items.

“We met as a teacher team to meet the needs. We put each grade level in charge of a different item,” Tegeler said.

Each grade level set a goal determined by class size and a discussion among the students. Students could choose whether to participate.

First-graders brought in 88 fitness mats, while kindergarteners and eighth-graders donated a total of 365 hats, gloves and scarves. The school as a whole was asked to bring in food, water and coats. 

More than 1,000 hand warmers and more than 500 pairs of socks were donated. The school brought in nearly 2,000 snacks and fruit cups. Donated items were stacked in classrooms.

“We wanted the collection to happen in the classroom so we could see the results each day. It would be our daily reminder,” said seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher Carli Saliba. “It is our duty, job and privilege to serve those people and open our eyes to those around us.”

Some students worked directly with the 270 packages of cookies donated.

“Three of the school grade levels got to break down their cookies into single servings,” Tegeler said, so they could be distributed to as many homeless individuals as possible.

“I’m excited because I feel that this was an opportunity to do things hands on,” Saliba said.

Holding the drive over Catholic School’s Week brought extra involvement from parents.

Information was sent out to the staff about the corporal works of mercy. The staff, parents and students worked together to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked.

Teachers selected verses from the Bible and used passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the classroom to set the expectation for students of caring for their brothers and sisters in need.

“We were trying to think about our ‘why.’ We wanted the students to feel that we were doing what God has asked us to do,” Saliba said.

As a result of the successful drive, Saliba said that she suspects the students might be interested in more service projects. The teachers believe that such opportunities will open the eyes of the students to the needs of those around them.