AUBURN — Members of St. Dominic Academy’s Key Club recently organized a Giving Tree initiative, which gathers warm winter wear and other holiday gifts for Lewiston and Auburn area prganizations and families in need.
The club is a service organization, and the Giving Tree has been one of the club’s community service projects for the past five years, said Marilyn Beauparlant, enrollment director at the academy. The Key Club will oversee giving trees located at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Cross Church and Holy Family Church, all in Lewiston, as well as trees at the 121 Gracelawn Ave. campus in Auburn.
Additional giving trees have been placed at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Sabattus and Holy Trinity Church in Lisbon Falls. Those who wish to help may take a tag from one of the trees. Each tag lists an item to be purchased and returned to the church for distribution to people in need. Depending on the tree, items range from personal hygiene products, blankets and food supplies to gift cards, toys, and clothes.
Among the organizations that will receive the donated items this year are three Lewiston elementary schools, Tri-County Mental Health Services, St. Mary’s Health System and others.
“Last year, the Key Club was able to help over 40 children, but this year they are planning on helping 150,” said Beauparlant.
The club will also provide food baskets for individuals and families during the holiday season and recently helped the Knights of Columbus raise thousands of dollars in their Tootsie Roll Drive and worked at their bean supper fundraiser.
“Our success in these initiatives is due in no small part to the combined efforts of the Knights and volunteers from the St. Dom’s Key Club,” said Brian Labrecque, grand knight of the Holy Family Knights of Columbus Council 10019. “They have provided tremendous support.”
“The best experiences, the most memorable lessons, occur when the students are full actors in what they do,” said Timothy Gallic, president of St. Dominic Academy. “We want students filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit as they are taught to be leaders in our community. A school filled with joy and gratitude is a mark of good things happening, and we are so grateful for the impact of the Key Club and our other service initiatives.” Anyone who would like to help may pick up a tag at the academy, 121 Gracelawn Ave. Items can be dropped off at the academy through Monday, Dec. 16. For more information, call the academy at 207-782-6911.
PHOTO: From left, Pamela Kay, teacher and Key Club advisor; Robert Roberge, Knights of Columbus; Emma Wolverton, secretary of the Key Club; and Lucy Frenette, president of the Key Club. (Submitted photo)
