ST. MARY'S STUDENTS PITCHING IN FOR CHARITY

The students at St. Mary Cathedral School take a collection on the first Friday of each month to benefit a charity.

"It's something unique that the students do," said Brenda Schoenberger, a parent and school board member. "It's not a lot of money, but the students feel they are helping others."

The students attend mass every Friday morning, said Carol Strattman, a teacher and student council moderator, but on the first one of each month the student council takes up the "First Friday Collection."

"It is something the student council decided that as a school and as a parish would be a nice service project to help others," Strattman said.

Schoenberger said it's an on-going activity that was initiated by the students. The entire student body is involved in this activity each month, she said.

This program has been in existence the last three to four years, Strattman said.

As the students bring in their money, they feel they are lending a helping hand, Schoenberger said.

"The focus is on good will and in doing so they are helping others and becoming aware of the needs of others," Schoenberger said.

It has become a tradition and an honor for the students, Schoenberger said. "The students even dress up on that day," she added.

Charities the student council has donated the money to include Birthright, the Salvation Army, Toybox, Make a Wish Foundation, FISH, Quixote and various mission organization.

"These are all good causes," Strattman said. "We try to keep to local causes and make them our first priority."

Student council members decide each month what charity they want the collection to go to, but they do much more than that, Strattman said.

"They also do the actual collecting by passing the baskets at mass and then counting the money," Strattman said. "Then, I see that the money gets where it's supposed to go.

"The children really feel they are benefiting others," Strattman said.