By Brianna Wood
The Mission Club dedicates their time to not only helping the St. Paul community, but giving back to the local community. “We do wish to serve not only our community, but we are looking to branch out. We want to help people who need it,” states Matthew Maglio, president of the Mission Club. The Mission Club was founded by Sister Genevieve Marie, CSJ, around when St. Paul first opened its doors in 1966, making it one of the longest student-run clubs at St. Paul. Mr. Dupont looks back at his experience with the Mission Club, sharing, “The Mission Club has always been associated with providing student service to both the local and global external community. In the beginning, the Mission Club sponsored a highly anticipated Mission Day...to raise funds for the program’s activities and financial support for various causes and nonprofit organizations.” In recent years, the Mission Club has cooked food for the Zion Lutheran Soup Kitchen monthly. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have not been able to do so. Despite this, Mission Club members are continuing to serve the community by taking part in meal kit preparation. Instead of cooking, the Mission Club has been collecting ingredients and sending them to the Zion Lutheran Kitchen. The club is working with the house system to collect the food items. In addition to meal kit preparation, the students of Mission Club have taken the time to help translate books to Braille by simply choosing a book, typing it into a Google form, and sending it in to be translated. Any student wishing to participate in this activity can contact Mrs. Zillich ([email protected]). “The Mission Club allows students the opportunity to come together to make a difference in the community. It provides a valuable real life experience of ‘giving back,’” says Mr. Dupont. With many wonderful acts of community service, members of the Mission Club have learned many key qualities and important life lessons. “The concept of giving back is what we should all strive for,” says Matthew Maglio. Along with learning about the importance of giving back, students also discover teamwork. “We would have to collaborate on things… [W]e have to bring in ingredients, so we really have to communicate with each other and work together… as a team,” explained Nathan DeFranco, the Mission Club secretary. “The best part of [the] Mission Club is that it fulfills the five core values of our school: faith, character, community, excellence, and service. Through [the] Mission Club, the members come together to cooperate to give back to our community,” illustrates Martina Joung, vice president of the Mission Club. “I personally enjoy giving my time to those who need it. It is hard to contemplate all of those who are in need, especially now, so by providing one meal to a lot of people every month lets me know that I chose to help someone for no reason at all but the world is better for it and hopefully others will choose to do the same as well,” Matthew Maglio shares. The students in the club look up to their teacher advisors, Sister Marie Benedict and Mrs. Zillich. Both teachers dedicate countless hours to help guide their students towards making the world a better place. Mrs. Zillich hopes her students learn that “doing good in the world starts with each one of us, not waiting for a group to do it for us. That is part of being the light.” When asked about what he learned from his teacher advisors, Matthew Maglio recalled, “This is a time of need for many, and just because we have a home and a family to go to, does not mean others do too. I believe charity to be an important aspect of my life and the world can be a better place if others wish to give a small part themselves for the needs of others.” Sister Marie Benedict and Mrs. Zillich have both greatly improved the mindsets of these students, showing them the importance of helping those around you. To get involved with Mission Club, please contact Mrs. Zillich or Sister Marie Benedict. |
AuthorBrianna Wood (Grade 9) ArchivesCategories |