SS. Peter & Paul students present check to Kevin Guest House

Students from SS. Peter & Paul School in Williamsville presented a check to the Kevin Guest House on April 26. The funds came from the spare change the students collected at school every day.

Mary McIntyre, art teacher, thanked the students and staff of the school for their support of the effort.

“Seeing these little kiddies going up and putting their coins in the glass jar just meant so much to everyone. Our secretaries said that was the highlight of their day,” she said during a ceremony honoring students who demonstrated the character trait of the month, which happened to be “Sacrifice.”

The students collected coins to adopt a room at the Kevin Guest House, a supportive home away from home for patients and families traveling for medical care located near the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The students raised $2,352 for one room, and the parish’s St. Ann’s Sodality group gave $1,500 for another. The funds pay for bedding, towels and personal care items for one year.

“A lot of work went into this. Awesome job kiddos,” said McIntyre.

The project fit in with the concept of sacrifice – giving of yourselves so that others can live a better life.

“I’m just so very proud of you and proud of this school and proud of this community. Congratulations on a job well done,” said Principal Marc Bandelian.

On hand to accept the checks were Lynsey Weaver, executive director of the Kevin Guest House, and Andrea Walh, development manager.

Weaver felt “amazing” seeing what the students did.

“We’ve had some companies that tried to adopt a room and fell short. So, the fact that kids have raised money in coins and have come together as a school community has made us feel incredible,” she said.

The two rooms will include a welcoming letter and a photo of the students, so guests will know the SS. Peter & Paul kids made this happen.

“Little touches so that they know somebody helped make their stay more comfortable,” said Weaver.