La Salle students raise $3,000
PROVIDENCE - On a dreary, rainy Friday morning a week before Christmas, the contrast could not have been more vivid. Outside, the pouring rain and high winds soaked and chilled; inside La Salle Academy, the energy of the students preparing Christmas presents for the needy could have warmed 1,000 homes.
Challenged by the faculty and administration, La Salle students were studying the issues surrounding homelessness and recently experienced what it is like in a sleep out. They also responded to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin’s ‘Keep the Heat On’ Challenge and presented a $3,000 check to John J. Barry III, secretary for Social Ministry.
“We reminded the La Salle community that the need this season is very real, the choice that many people will have to make will be between heat or medicine or rent or food,” said Mary Ann Donohue-Lynch, La Salle¹s Social Concerns coordinator. “Bishop Tobin called upon us as Christians to respond to our brothers and sisters in need, and I am so proud to be part of this caring community.” Father Albert A. Kenney, La Salle chaplain, said he was gratified by the students’ generosity.
“I am always overwhelmed with the generosity of our students, faculty and families at La Salle Academy. I truly believe that they understand the Gospel call to serve one another.” The La Salle donation and other gifts last week raised the ‘Keep The Heat On’ total to $59,046, only $16,000 short of the goal.
This article originally published in The Providence Visitor.