Geibel athletes pass out meals to 100 needy families

CONNELLSVILLE – When athletes of Geibel Catholic Senior High School passed out Christmas meals to needy families recently, some of those on the receiving end wept.

“I think that if we didn’t so this, they may not have had a meal for Christmas,” explained Don Porter, Geibel athletic director, who also serves as boys basketball coach.

Members of the school’s boys and girls basketball teams, along with the cheerleaders and a few other students, took part in a food drive at the school Dec. 23. Connellsville Area Community Ministries provided the school with a list of 100 needy families that would be receiving the meals.

The meals, which consisted of a turkey, canned vegetables, potatoes and a pie, were packaged by the students. As cars pulled up to the school, the students distributed the meals.

“It’s for a good cause,” said junior A’moni Tunstell, who is not a member of the basketball team, but was asked to help. “With the current situation with COVID, this helps out a lot of families.”

Porter said the students were very enthusiastic about participating in the food drive. It also was a nice chance for them to get together, something that has not been taking place as much as a result of restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The school spent a good portion of December in remote learning as a result of staffing issues, not a high rate of COVID-19.

“It was more heart-touching this year,” Porter said. “In the time we’re going through right now, with remote learning, the kids miss that in-person touch with their classmates. This was a chance to get with their friends and help those in need. It was pretty rewarding for all. It’s definitely a project I would like to continue annually at the school.”