Catholic Schools Week: Service projects reach people around the world

By Melissa Williams Brown
Contributing Writer

NEW KENSINGTON – Students and faculty at Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic School are always thinking of innovative ways to help others, and their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

In November, Specialist 4 Karen Lemon, who served as a chaplain assistant in the U.S. Army First Infantry Division Forward in Germany from 1975-78, presented a U.S. Army “challenge coin” to principal Cathy Collette in recognition of the school’s annual “Salute to Veterans” program which includes lunch for veterans and guests and a patriotic performance by the school’s band and choir.

Lemon explained that the coins are shared usually between military members and veterans to show mutual support and appreciation. Many are commemorative for units or locations where soldiers were stationed.

“As a female Army veteran from the Vietnam era and the Cold War, being recognized and appreciated by others is very meaningful,” she said. “Most Vietnam veterans were not welcomed home after that conflict, and even years later, to be thanked, especially by the students of Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic School, was very special. The challenge coin is a small token of appreciation for your school and the special program on Veterans Day for local veterans.”

Collett said she is proud of the students’ good works that impact people locally and across the globe. Throughout the year, they raise funds to help build schools and improve conditions in Haiti and collect money for a Ukrainian orphanage. Closer to home, they provide gift bags and cards for Thank a Police Officer Day every September; support the Light of Life Rescue Mission for the homeless during Thanksgiving; collect baby gifts and donations for the TryLife Center at Advent; support the Knead Community Cafe in New Kensington by making placemats and uplifting messages and donating healthy meals; and support parish food banks.   

SERVICE PROJECTS

MQA Girl Scout, Brownie, and Daisy Troops #21934 complete service projects throughout the year,  including Go Bags for the homeless. First grader Lucia Cicconi developed the idea. The troop made the bags at a weekend camp and took them to the Light of Life mission. The troop also made cards for those in nursing homes at Christmas, collected lantern flies for a research study, and made bird feeders for the camp in order to, “Leave a place better than you found it.”