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Community Corner

860 Coats Donated by St. Pius X School

When beginning the 2013 – 2014 school year, St. Pius X Regional School knew they wanted to give back to the community that has given so much to them over the past 50 years.  In late September, Mrs. Vicky McCann, meet with the marketing committee for the Archdiocese of Washington.  Quickly into the discussion was the suggestion to participate in the Catholic Charities Coats of Many Colors Drive.  The coat drive is an archdiocese-wide push to collect coats for men, women, and children in all sizes.  This was the second year for the organization’s coat drive, but the first year that St. Pius X School participated.   

St. Pius X Regional School collected coats during the month of November.  They set their goal at a realistic number of 250 coats.  Through advertising through their weekly newsletter, Facebook, and word of mouth, students began bringing in coats immediately.  At the end of the first week, the school family was presently surprised – 300 coats had been collected in 5 days.  Their goal increased to 500 coats, and the students did not slow up, by November 27th 860 coats had been collected.   Mrs. Sheila Graham, the 3A teacher, was truly impressed and in awe of the spirit of giving in her classroom.  At least one coat was brought in each day of the collection, totaling 127 coats collected by 3A.  The coats that St. Pius X School collected were distributed evenly to three Catholic Charities locations; Washington D.C., Prince Frederick, and Hyattsville.

The Coats of Many Colors Drive included a unique element, students hand-wrote special messages or prayers that were inserted in the coat pocket.  One student in 3A, Amelia Coriell wrote, “This coat is so soft and fuzzy, you can fall asleep in it.”  Other students commented that they gave their favorite coat and they were happy somebody else gets to use it, too.  

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St. Pius X Regional School is a Catholic elementary school for grades Pre-K through grade 8.  To find out more information visit our website, www.stpiusbowie.org or call 301-262-0203 to schedule a tour.  

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