(Chelsea Update would like to thank Joseph Yekulis for the information in this story.)
A unique project is taking place at Beach Middle School as Kathryn McCalla and her cross-section of student leaders from grades 6 through 8 are raising funds to support the new barrier-free playground and the operations of St. Louis Center.
The center is a residential care facility for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities administered by the Servants of Charity Congregation.
McCalla began working with the Leadership Class at the beginning of the school year assisting them in identifying a charity they’d like to work for, then the students had to learn everything they could about the charity so that they could make a presentation to the school to get the other student’s support.
Joe Yekulis, public relations director of St. Louis Center, visited the class, shared a video, and answered “a number of great questions from the students about what St. Louis Center was all about,” he said in a press release.
On Sept. 21st, the Leadership Class presented their charity choice to the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes to teach their peers about the center and to ask for their support at upcoming fundraisers this fall.
Three events were planned. The first was a car wash that raised $268.
On Friday, Nov. 9, there will be a 7th and 8th grade Dance from 3:15 – 5 p.m.
On Friday, Nov. 16, a Rock-A-Thon (with rocking chairs) is planned from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m.
Past Beach Middle School Leadership Class fundraising recipients include the ASPCA and Faith-in-Action and the students raised between $1,500-$2,000.
“The students are proud of their ability to give something back to the community,” Yekulis said.
For more information about St. Louis Center, click here.
