Just in time for the 61st Annual Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children, nine Archdiocesan high schools and two private Catholic high schools cap off participation in the Second Annual Archdiocesan “Kids Helping Kids” Christmas Outreach program. Their charitable works will provide presents for the majority of the 500 young people attending the party on December 19th.
“Kids Helping Kids” is a concrete example of young people assisting children adversely impacted by the hardships of poverty. Earlier this year, high school students committed to “adopting” young people in need and will make their Christmas wishes a reality by donating and wrapping gifts to be distributed at the party. The 11 participating schools were encouraged to hold Toy Drives lasting through early December. In addition, some schools will host wrapping “parties” as a way for students to participate in a group atmosphere.
This Christmas Outreach program, led by the Office of Catechetical Formation, assists teachers and catechists in Catholic schools and in parish religious education programs in carrying out the evangelical mission of the Church in partnership with Catholic Social Services (CSS). CSS provides a range of services and programs to assist more than 174,000 children, adults, and families of all faiths throughout the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The nine Archdiocesan high schools participating in the “Kids Helping Kids” program include: Archbishop Wood Catholic High School in Warminster (Bucks County), Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor (Delaware County), Monsignor Bonner and Prendergast Catholic High School in Drexel Hill (Delaware County), St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls (North East Philadelphia), John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School (Philadelphia), Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills (Bucks County), Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford (Montgomery County), Father Judge High School (North East Philadelphia), and Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield (Delaware County). The two private Catholic high schools are: Villa Joseph Marie High School in Holland (Bucks County) and Mercy Career and Technical High School (East Falls).
A list of some “wrapping parties” being held in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is below.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Archbishop John Carroll High School: 211 Matson Ford Road, Radnor Township, PA 19087
(Delaware County)
2:30 p.m.
Approximately 50 students will volunteer to wrap presents afterschool.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Monsignor Bonner and Prendergast Catholic High School: 403 N Lansdowne Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Delaware County)
2:45 p.m.
45 students will volunteer to wrap presents afterschool in the “Prendie Building Cafeteria.”
Cardinal O’Hara High School: 1701 South Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064
(Delaware County)
2:45 p.m.
400 students and faculty will be on hand at this time to wrap presents.
Student representatives from 11 of the 17 Archdiocesan high schools will be at the Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children. The theme for the benefit will be “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”They will portray “Whoville” characters and serve as Santa’s elves by distributing presents to children attending the festivities.
More than just a one-time party for a few hundred children, the Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children raises funds to support programs of Catholic Social Services that daily serve children throughout the year. Catholic Social Services assists more than 174,000 children, adults, and families of all faiths throughout the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
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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/.