The St. Petronille Elementary School Athletics Department for the second year in a row has sponsored a summer clothing drive to benefit children and families in the Eastern Samar, Philippines area aided through the SSV Mission Aid Bato! Mrs. Christine Mayer, Director of Student Athletics developed a team charity program called CHARGERS CARE to involve student athletes in philanthropic giving and charitable activities outside of their sport. The program has raised funds for several nonprofits including Haiti and the Heart Association. In 2020, during the pandemic, The Charges Care program expanded to include the Sisters servants of the Visitation Mission in the Philippines.
Over the last two weeks of September families were invited to drop off summer cloths they have outgrown, al sizes, in bins outside of school. Sr. Rubi was able to greet students din the morning before school to promote the program. It was a huge success and on October 5th the sixth grade Girls Volleyball team sorted and packed the clothing and shoes for shipment in Balikbayan Boxes to the Philippines. The girls did a fantastic job vacuum sealing the clothing and shoes in six Balikbayan Boxes and wrote colorful kind sentiments to the people they hope will receive the gifts of clothing.
Sister Rubi was graciously granted the opportunity to speak to the school children following their weekly School Mass at which she congratulated the children on their generosity. Sister Rubi spoke to the children of how they are already missionaries because through their gift of clothing they are reaching our across the world to help someone in need with a spirit of joy that makes love alive and present in the lives of a boy or girl just like them who will be so happy for something new and clean to wear.