Service Learning began in 1995. The combined service learning efforts of our Catholic students each year is tremendous. The impact that these service projects have on our community is marvelous. Students from St. Matthew, All Saints, St. Pius, St. Ludmillas, St. Judes, Holy Family Middle School and Regis Middle School have participated in city-wide projects. These projects are initiated and developed during an entire school year and involve ALL Catholic students. Benefits of these projects affect literally thousands of local individuals. Each grade level project involves all students from the schools participating. Students share in large group prayer activities and informational sessions while planning projects.

Projects include Helping Hand Bags from our kindergarten students that are given to Madge Phillips Center and the Salvation Army. Each kindergarten student makes and contributes a bag.

First grade students prepare Friendship Boxes for the American Red Cross.

Second grade students focus on the elderly and homebound working with Meals on Wheels. A representative from Meals on Wheels presents a slide show and explanation of the program to our second grade.

Third graders also focus on the elderly in our community by visiting numerous care centers in the area to interact with residents by playing games, making cards and place mats, or putting on plays.

Fourth graders participate in decorating a Christmas for St. Luke's yearly fundraiser, Festival of Trees. They hold a bake sale in December to provide funds.

Fifth graders work with Aid to Women by volunteering various tasks, and a speaker from this organization shares the message of Aid To Women with students.

Sixth graders contribute time to Prairie Woods Center by transporting seeds from prairie grasses to places that do not have grass.

Seventh graders purchase supplies for the Catherine McCauley Center, and participate in a final celebration held for all seventh graders to share in the project at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Eighth graders invite a speaker from Birthright to explain the needs and purpose of this organization A variety of donations (including hand made quilts) were contributed to Birthright through this eighth grade project.

As a Catholic community we can be extremely proud of the efforts of our youth. These activities are only one of the many ways that our Catholic children learn the value of service to others.

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