November 16, 2024

Blessed Sacrament students hold walk-a-thon to help victims of hurricanes

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

HOLYOKE —  On a chilly November morning, students of Blessed Sacrament School in Holyoke walked lap after lap to raise money for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The walk-a-thon, held, Nov. 13, was organized by the school student council.

“We are putting our mission in motion,” said Sue Heavren, Blessed Sacrament’s principal.

Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage in the southeast in late September followed by Hurricane Milton in early October which caused devastation in Florida.

“I am so proud of my students. They are so excited and so ready to support this mission and this cause,” she said.

Students in grades kindergarten through grade eight participated, walking laps in the parking lot.

“Our school mission states that we are contributing to our community, providing service to others, using our God given talents, that we are modeling Jesus and our Catholic values,” Heavren said.

Holyoke police and fire departments were there, as was Boomer, the mascot of the Springfield Thunderbirds.

“I’ve heard a lot of stories that Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton injured a lot of people and people had to evacuate immediately,” said William Rivest, a grade six student and student council president.

“We’re going to be out here for about a half hour and they’re going to walk as many laps as they can. We can sacrifice for their (the victims) sacrifices. This is definitely showing Jesus like things, that’s definitely what he did,” said Rivest.

At last count, the students raised $3600 to benefit both the American Red Cross and Catholic Charities USA. Both organizations are providing direct relief to people in affected areas.

“We like to provide service and we thought this would be something that we could do to help people,” said Amanda May, Blessed Sacrament middle school teacher and student council advisor.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which temporarily airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS .