St. Teresa High School students help sort and shelve food items at the Decatur Catholic Charities Food Pantry during the school’s community‑wide volunteer day Nov. 21. DECATUR - It wasn't a sports win or academic achievement which drew attention to St. Teresa High School the day before Thanksgiving. It was Catholics actively living their faith. Over 240 students, teachers, staff and parents put Catholic social teaching into action on Nov. 21, fanning out throughout the community to help others.
Drizzling rain dampened some of the outdoor volunteer projects, such as raking leaves at the homes of senior citizens, but it did not stop the students and adults from pitching in to do what they could. Volunteers cleaned gutters, trimmed hedges, delivered Meals-on-Wheels, helped shelve items at a food pantry and helped at a soup kitchen.
"Their spirits were really high," said Kevin Richardson, dean of students, who helped coordinate the volunteer effort. "In addition the rain - and sometimes it was pouring - the kids had earned the day as a day off from school as a magazine drive incentive. But over 200 of the kids decided to volunteer to do service, so it says a lot about what they understand to be a Christian."
St. Teresa students are required to perform a minimum of 10 hours of community service per year, and the school offers several volunteer opportunities each year. But this year's service day was expanded into a half day service event.
"In May we are going to have a service event where all the students, the entire faculty and all the members of the board of directors will participate," said Richardson.
One of the yards that students raked, was the home of a 1950 St. Teresa graduate. "It was great for the kids to meet her and talk to her," said Richardson.
Jeff Delatte, St. Teresa ('07) graduate, came back to help out on the service day. "I'm glad I was able to help lead the students through this experience, and convince them that even when one might be doing good for the world, that does not mean one will not be challenged," he said. "The ability to actually show up and do some work (on such a soggy, chilly day) took a great amount of respect for the people they were helping."