Carmel students gift-giving program a success
In the spirit of the season, Carmel Catholic High School students and faculty teamed up with Catholic Charities to participate in the charity's annual Christmas gift-giving program for less fortunate families and individuals throughout Lake County.
Carmel has participated in this program for more than 27 years.
The entire student body, plus faculty, signed up to purchase gifts for families and individuals. Each of Carmel Catholic's 56 homerooms participated in this project and helped 14 large families (five to seven people), 29 small families (three to four members) and 64 individuals.
For the program, Catholic Charities identified and screened the individuals and families who requested help and then generated a “wish list” for the school. Carmel students collected money in their homerooms and a few students were selected as designated shoppers. Gifts were purchased and then wrapped so gift recipients can enjoy the Christmas gift-giving experience.
It only took about 30 minutes of continual loading by volunteers recently before the Catholic Charities truck was filled to capacity with toys, bikes and other gifts.
“Our students love this project, and they seem to appreciate the fact that they have helped someone by their efforts,” said Sister Mary Sattgast, BVM, Carmel's registrar and coordinator of the Catholic Charities gift-giving program.
“We have noticed over the years that once students see what they have accomplished, they feel grateful for the opportunity to help. Some people ask for basic necessities on their Christmas wish lists, and this is always a sobering experience for our students when they realize the struggles some people endure.
“We hope our students realize that, because of their kindness, many will experience Christmas joy and blessings.”
Carmel Principal Lynne Strutzel said that everyone involved benefits from the experience.
“All one has to do is look at the faces of our students as they wrap the gifts for their Christmas family, or they carry a bike down the hall for the child whose request they are fulfilling, to see the satisfaction they feel in doing something for another,” Strutzel said.
“The Catholic Charities Christmas Family Project is an important opportunity for Carmel students because it helps them to understand what it means to love one another through service and to develop a sense of responsibility to the world in which they live two essential components of a real education.”
Assistant Registrar Rita Markham said that it's a great privilege to help Sister Sattgast with the this project each year.
“It is something that warms my heart and brings me joy,” Markham said.
“I can only imagine the happy faces of those receiving our gifts. It's the combined efforts and sacrifice of Carmel students, faculty and staff that make this program so successful.”