St. Bede students lend a hand to underprivileged

The students of St. Bede School have completed three projects this year to help the less fortunate. During Lent, the students collected funds in order to provide the Easter meal for 12 families housed at the Good Shepherd Center. These families are victims of domestic violence and commit themselves to a program of six to 18 months with emphasis upon rebuilding family unity and preparing each mother to resume an independent life style with job skills to support her family. The Good Shepherd sisters have been working with the underprivileged for the last 100 years in Los Angeles. At the Center, 12 families, including 50 children, make up the community.

In addition to the Easter meal gift, Mark Saatzer, a sixth grader, celebrated his birthday with each classmate bringing a gift for the children at Good Shepherd Shelter. More than 40 gifts were contributed, which were then given to the families at the Center to help make their Easter a more joyful one.

Prior to the Good Shepherd project, students collected money during January and February to help with the Habitat for Humanity program. The funds were used to buy tools, building materials, etc. and presented at the first Friday Mass to representatives for Habitat for Humanity.

During Advent, the St. Bede students collected over $700 to give to Nora Sheedy, a former St. Bede student, who is in the Peace Corps. Nora is using these funds to help the poor in the Dominican Republic.