David Dean, teacher at St Joseph Catholic School, said one of the missions of the school is a focus on how to love its neighbors. Dean and Principal Kathleen Haslett discussed service projects, and Haslett suggested the idea of collecting and delivering these shoes for the House of Hope’s year-round fundraiser.

An organization, funds2orgs.com, partners with non-profit organizations and then also assists with micro-entrepreneurs in developing nations, making impact after impact. A truck will pick up the shoes this week, and with the help of St. Joe’s School, the total of 28 bags will be collected – or 700 pairs of shoes.

“The students put all the work and effort into advertising it, marketing it, putting the boxes out, designing the boxes,” Dean said. “And not only do we have shoes here from our local community, Warren, the families and the students of St Joseph’s, we have shoes from Corry as well. I see it as a connection of hope between the House of Hope here, that helps to serve women who were formerly incarcerated making their way back into life, to a place in Corry called Hope Ministry Center.”

When Father Skip Davis, director for Street Corner Church Ministries in Corry connected with Barbie Anderson from The Hope Ministry Center in Corry, they both shared that they like to help other organizations. Through the additional help from Street Corner Church Ministries, co-director Parker Dean assisted in the project as well.

Students are pictured here with their teacher, Mr. David Dean (back) and House of Hope Volunteer Coordinator, Vicky Whitford (front).

The House of Hope continually collects shoes in large bags that can hold 25 pairs of shoes. A few things that the students shared were heartwarming. They shared how they felt, saying they were glad to do the project, knowing that those who receive the shoes would likely be thankful for them. The students formed groups, made posters, decorated boxes for the shoe collection and shared the need with their families. The school also spread the word by way of Facebook and the school’s website. All in all, they were glad to bless others.

“I am so thankful for all that you have done; all the marketing, all the bags, all the shoes,” said Vicky Whitford, volunteer coordinator for the House of Hope. “It’s just a blessing to us too, and encourages people that live here, that together, we can do things that can change the world.”

Dean said that more projects are being developed through the school to help the victims of Hurricane Melissa. A few other service projects that Saint Joe’s Catholic School has participated with this year include donations collected on a casual dress day for Hospice and a Penny War where $1,000 was donated to the Salvation Army Red Kettle at Christmas time. Every class participates in service projects of all sizes such as making ornaments for residents of nursing homes, writing letters to elderly members of the church who don’t get out much, and donating food to the St. Joe’s soup kitchen. The fourth grade class is about to begin a non-perishable food item collection through Lent, which will also be donated to the soup kitchen.

“Service projects are an important part of our Catholic education. We want students to understand that there are so many ways to give to those in need, and all people, children and adults have something to give,” said Haslett.