SMS students brighten the lives of over 50 people this Advent

SWORMVILLE — St. Mary School students are marking the season of Advent this year by loving and serving others. The food and gift drives that were organized and contributed to by SMS students and their families are making a big impact on the lives of many local families this Christmas season.

Just before Thanksgiving break, SMS students went grocery shopping and scoured their cupboards at home for essential food and hygiene items for the needy in our community. The “Help for the Homeless” food drive culminated on the students’ last day of school before Thanksgiving break, and collected items that helped those less fortunate in our community meet their basic needs. Everyone likes to donate canned goods and boxed stuffing for a Thanksgiving meal for the homeless, so SMS students instead opted to ask for what people need after the hot Thanksgiving meal. Items were assigned by grade level, and the school had a tremendous response. The food and hygiene items were picked up by the St. Vincent de Paul Society for distribution to those in need in our community. By procuring these supplies and bringing them into the school, students learned about sharing their blessings with others, and the importance of service.

Continuing the spirit of giving and sharing our blessings, the eighth grade class once again organized the “St. Agnes Project” this Advent. This endeavor helps families in Buffalo’s East Side who are served by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Agnes’ Convent. The St. Agnes Project is a long-standing service project that was a tradition at SMS prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and has since been revived. The service project provides Christmas gifts and gift cards to families who would have no other gifts without the generosity of students and school families. Eighth graders prepared a letter that went home with students from all grade levels, requesting donations of gifts or gift cards for 58 individuals from 11 families. The gifts were collected at school and will be delivered to the families in need before Christmas by the eighth grade students.

The school leadership is proud of all of the students who exemplify St. Mary’s values of service and tradition for others.