(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2016) The students of Holy Cross Academy in Oneida organized two community service projects as part of National Catholic Schools Week this year, which ran from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6.
HCA seventh graders volunteered to help unpack and sort donations and fill shelves at the Opportunity Shop food pantry in Canastota on Feb. 3. Shop director Carol Cienava said the food pantry and thrift store supplies many needed goods to approximately 150 families in the area.
On Feb. 4 HCA juniors and seniors visited the Oneida Healthcare Extended Care Facility to play bingo with the residents.
“When I first walked in, I saw an older lady give me a big smile, so I knew who I was going to sit with,” said HCA senior Will Domes. “She invited me to play bingo with her and she had the greatest time. It made me happy.”
“Every year during National Catholic Schools Week, we put together a series of activities to focus on the value Catholic education provides to our students, our church, our communities and our nation,” said HCA Principal Teri Maciag. “We try to make it fun for the kids and give back to the community too.”