Woodmont Students put Faith into Action

December 2007 filled with Service Projects

 

 The Christmas season was a little brighter for many folks in need due to the apostolic efforts of Woodmont Academy students. In December the children helped others through a variety of service projects, which included feeding the homeless, playing Bingo with the elderly, and visiting wounded soldiers.

      Woodmont seventh grade girls collected and delivered food and goodies for wounded servicemen and women at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC. The girls decorated each box with colorful pictures and positive messages, then placed all of the delicious goods in the boxes and lined them up to make a “Holiday Train”.

     Upon arriving at the Malone House, the girls met many patients. Student, Megan Arnold related the following sentiments: “We met so many kind soldiers who really appreciated what we were doing for them. One lady, named Sandi had been fighting in the war when she was diagnosed with cancer. A man, Patrick had to have his leg amputated because of an injury he got while serving in Iraq. Some of the soldiers were really funny, and all of them were happy to have served their country. After going to Walter Reed, we really appreciate what they did for us and our country.”

     Grades 5-8 students from Woodmont’s Conquest Boys Club visited Vantage House Retirement Community in Columbia. Accompanied by teacher Mark Moran and Legion of Christ Brother Ugo Piasentin, the boys played Bingo with a small group of residents and visited others in their rooms. Seventh grader, Michael Bentivenga was happy to be there because “it really made people happy,” and was quick to add, “It really brightened my day, too.” Classmate Bruce Zimmermann eagerly listened to residents reminisce and share stories about their families. “We met all kinds of people, including a Naval Officer!” he shared.

       Woodmont third-graders are finishing their second annual read-a-thon and will donate $1500 to Catholic Relief Services for their ongoing humanitarian aid to Indonesia. To develop a greater understanding for the plight in that region, one of the books the students read was Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, about a hippo stranded by the 2004 tsunami.

       Even our youngest students put their faith into action with a service project. Its preschoolers have been learning about generosity and sacrifice and brought these virtues to life by preparing bag lunches and a huge fruit basket which ware delivered with warm wishes to the Howard County Grassroots Homeless Shelter in December.