From Prayers to Action: Saint Gregory School Students Help Hurricane Victims

by Kristine Rilling
10/23/2024

When students from Saint Gregory School, North East, learned about the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in North Carolina and Tennessee, they immediately began praying for the victims during their daily class prayer times. As the students saw the full extent of the destruction, they decided they could put their prayer into action.

The school quickly made it their quarterly service project to help the hurricane victims in a more tangible way.  They partnered with Barnhart Trucking, North East, who graciously provided a box truck to help transport the donations with the donations they were already collecting.

The community’s generosity overflowed. The truck was filled by midweek, emptied and filled again. "I am proud of my school for doing that," said Rylynn Stout, a 2nd grader.

Lori Helffrich, a teacher at Saint Gregory, was deeply moved by the steady stream of donations. "Cars loaded with goods were a constant throughout the day," she said, “Our community and school family really stepped it up!”

Students were equally inspired by the effort. Logan Rizzo, a 6th grader, said, "I am truly happy that we were able to help victims that may have lost everything they’ve ever worked for in their lives to the hurricane." Audrey Schiedel, a 7th grader, echoed this sentiment: "I am really proud of what our school and community did because the people down there really need our help."

The service project was a powerful reminder to the students that their compassion and generosity could make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

 

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