Entire Maria Regina HS Student Body (All 486 of Them) Participates in Unprecedented Program of Helping Those in Need During Day of Prayer & Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: FRANK PAGANI, 914-843-5079, [email protected]

HARTSDALE, NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 6, 2024): "Being able to get together with other girls from the Maria Regina High School community and create new memories with each other while doing works of service was truly a blessing,” reported senior Morgan Avelli of the Bronx.? She was among all of the 486 students of the renowned all-girls Catholic high school who recently participated in an unprecedented program of fulfilling the meaning of service of helping those in need—in their local communities as well as overseas—with a wide range of hands-on activities during All Saints Day—Day of Prayer and Service

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This year’s campaign built on Maria Regina’s inaugural All Saints Day- Day of Prayer and Service four years ago, a post-Covid pandemic initiative that was designed to re-engage students in service work with opportunities that had been interrupted during the crisis.

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But, “this year’s expanded program of service opportunities was nothing short of breathtaking in its range and scope,” declared Maria Carozza-McCaffrey (Class of ’99) Principal, adding: “Our students were inspired to think outside the box and build upon long standing traditions, further enhancing their impressive contributions to a variety of meaningful causes.”

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Among the highlights of the special day were five service trips that students took to help support essential community causes in the region.? They included:

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·???????? HOPE (an acronym for ‘Help Our People Eat) Food Kitchen in New Rochelle, one of the largest in Westchester that serves more than 100 nutritious meals a night. The students assembled care packages, learned about local food insecurity, and the importance of community outreach in supporting nonprofits like HOPE.

·???????? The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester that addresses the clothing needs for children and teens in Westchester. A contingent of Maria Regina students lent a helping hand in sorting and preparing the donated clothing for distribution to families in need.

·???????? GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester in Ardsley whose mission is to change the “way the world views Down syndrome and to send a message of acceptance and hope.” In that regard, students met with the directors of the nonprofit to create a video to raise awareness and understanding of the genetic disorder that causes developmental and intellectual delays.

·???????? ?Hillside Food Outreach in Mt. Kisco which provides nutritious food for homebound individuals in the community who are chronically ill and disabled. A group of freshmen helped brighten the day for 750 homebound individuals served by Hillside Food Pantry by creating colorful artwork for the placemats they use when they eat their meals.

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·???????? Topfield Equestrian Center in Cold Spring which provides therapeutic interactions with horses for children, teens and adults experiencing physical, psychological and behavioral challenges. Morgan Avelli, who was among the seniors who assisted with the stables and learned all about the benefits of equine therapy, noted: “I was so grateful that we were allowed to meet some of the horses after we finished helping around the ranch. Service is so valuable because it brings people together and makes connections.”

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Reflecting the need to help make a difference in the lives of other individuals across the globe, following the celebration of Mass on All Saints Day, students listened to an inspiring presentation by Alumna Moira G. Madonia?(Class of ’72) of Mahwah, N.J., founder of Edpowerment, an organization that provides transformative educational support and programs dedicated to helping individuals in Tanzania, particularly the struggles that teenage girls face every day. Following the address, juniors proceeded to the dining hall to work with members of Casa de la Solidaridad where they crafted fabric pouches for feminine hygiene products to support the young women in Tanzania.

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In addition to Madonia, Maria Regina students also heard inspiring addresses by guest speakers Brian Harrington, Senior Vice President of Advancement, Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, Yonkers; Kiera O’Connor (Class of ’15) and Trena Yonkers Talz (P’28), both of the Bronx.? Continuing a 29-year tradition of “500 feeding 500”, students also launched their annual Thanksgiving Drive, collecting turkeys and non-perishable food items for St. Peter’s St. Denis Parish in Yonkers.

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The sophomore class helped Marilin Samuelian (Class of ’25) of Bronxville work towards her distinguished Girl Scout Gold Award by delivering 1,000 handmade holiday cards to the children at Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, Yonkers, another Maria Regina tradition. The freshmen also participated by creating the cards to help spread holiday cheer to the young patients/residents.

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Since the start of the new 2024-25 academic school year in September, the entire student body has been inspired to think of new ways to fulfill the Catholic meaning of service by Patrice McDermott, the new Associate Director of Catholic Mission and Outreach and Maryellen Laino, the newly promoted Director of Campus Ministry.

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McDermott, who previously helped orphaned children in Honduras and also saw the effects of poverty on the young elsewhere, tells Maria Regina students: ”We have so much that is sometimes taken for granted. In Peru, I saw kids who looked in garbage cans for their next meal.? Find a cause that is close at home to support and bring your best self to it whether it’s a nursing home, hospital or food pantry.”

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Laino explained: “Our students were very excited about the initiatives they undertook, not just for All Saints Day—Day of Prayer and Service but continuously that will make a difference in the lives of their peers as well as children and adults everywhere.”.

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McDermott added: “Our hope with this effort is that a seed will be planted with the students, that they will go home and talk about it with their family and friends which will hopefully help their good deeds to thrive and spread.”

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Principal Carozza-McCaffrey summed up the significance of the high bar of giving back that the students raised for themselves and the Maria Regina family: “Keeping with our school’s mission to live a life of charity, truth and service to others, this day was just one example of how our students are changemakers and committed to bringing God’s love to those in need and transforming lives through their actions.”

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?Maria Regina High School Mission

Maria Regina High School is a Catholic school where young women are encouraged?to achieve academic excellence, empowered to be compassionate leaders, and enriched with the Spirit to live a life of Charity, Truth, and Service to others.? To learn more, visit www.mariaregina.org.

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