The gifts will be distributed to children attending Catholic Social Services’
66th annual Archbishop’s Benefit for Children Christmas Party.
Catholic high schools throughout the five-county region will donate and wrap presents for children and youth served by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS). The gifts will be distributed during CSS’ 66th annual Archbishop’s Benefit for Children Christmas Party taking place on Monday, December 20th.
Earlier this year, high school students committed to “adopting” young people served by CSS to make their Christmas wishes a reality. These charitable acts will provide presents for the majority of the 300 young people attending the event.
Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School’s (Bonner & Prendie) Community Service Club will host a wrapping party. Approximately 30 students will be wrapping approximately 180 gifts to benefit nearly 60 children who benefit from CSS’ Out-of-School Time programs in Philadelphia.
3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School – Classroom 223
403 North Lansdowne Avenue
Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (Delaware County)
Representatives from Bonner & Prendie will transport the presents to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center on Thursday, December 16th.
In addition, students from Cardinal O’Hara High School (COHS) in Springfield (Delaware County) will host their 10th Annual Operation Santa Clause (OSC) wrapping party. This year, COHS students will be wrapping 75 gifts to be distributed to children who benefit from CSS’ Out-of-School Time programs, Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy, as well as children who benefit from other services offered by CSS.
Prior to wrapping presents, Father John Masson, COHS’ Campus Minister, will lead everyone in a prayer and bless the gifts that will be wrapped for the children.
2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Cardinal O’Hara High School – Cafeteria
1701 South Sproul Road
Springfield, PA 19064 (Delaware County)
Each year, this program is organized and operated by a student-run OSC Executive Board of 12th grade students. Over the past decade, students have assisted in fulfilling the wish lists of over 5,000 children and their families.
The gifts will be transported by representatives to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center on Friday, December 17th.
There are four additional secondary schools in the Archdiocese that collected and donated presents to CSS: Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor (Delaware County); Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster (Bucks County); Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford (Montgomery County); and West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia.
More than a one-time party, the Archbishop’s Benefit for Children is a year-round fundraising effort that provides necessary support to help ensure the vitality of a dozen CSS youth programs for children and families of all faiths throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
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Editor’s Note: For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit aopcatholicschools.org/. For information about Faith in the Future Foundation, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com/. For additional information about Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School, please visit www.bonnerprendie.com/. Cardinal O’Hara High School, please visit www.cohs.com/.
For more information or to make a donation in support of the Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children, please visit www.archbishopschristmasbenefit.org/. To learn more about Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.cssphiladelphia.org/.
Contact:Meredith Wilson
Media and Events Specialist
215-587-3747