GASTONIA — Students at St. Michael Catholic School recently collected comfort items for people experiencing homelessness in their community.
Children in every grade participated in the project – from the youngest pre-kindergartner to the oldest eighth-grader. Together, they collected items to make gift bags for the homeless. The bags included personal hygiene items (toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, nail clippers etc.) as well as socks, sunscreen bottled water and snacks.
The school’s goal was to put together 50 gift bags in honor of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary, and they surpassed that with a total of 57 bags.
The 57 bags were given this fall to The Gateway Gaston, which connects people with community resources to make positive life changes – extending them a true hand-up that places them on a journey to a more stable situation. The non-profit organization’s aim is to provide people in need with fully integrated support services, treating everyone with dignity and compassion. A team of volunteers and professionals respond quickly to provide people in need with everything from work referrals to financial coaching to clinical counseling. Last year, The Gateway Gaston served over 6,500 people.
St. Michael’s Principal Michelle Vollman noted, “I was blown away by the generosity of our students and their families. In addition to the hygiene, clothing and food items, our students wrote them cards with prayers, scripture verses and words of encouragement and love.
“Our hope is that these bags and the items in them will bring comfort to those who receive them. As Christians, we are called to restore human dignity to our brothers and sisters in Christ who may feel as though they are overlooked or forgotten, especially during these holiday seasons.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle. Photos provided by Christine Eagan.
