As Super Bowl XlVII in New Orleans draws near, students at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains are hoping to score big in their efforts to help the needy.
At the same time, they're also hoping to get a day off from school.
Students are collecting cans of food that will help local organizations. In 2012, the students collected 50,000 cans of food which were donated to Grace Church Community Center in White Plains and Don Bosco Community Center in Port Chester.
For 2013, Father Tom Collins, president of Stepinac, lowered the goal to 30,000 cans. Not because he didn’t think they could reach the 50,000 mark, but because the students stepped up in community service during the holidays and Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
In that time, they donated thousands of cans to those in need in the Bronx, Staten Island and Westchester County.
On Friday, Feb. 1, the students will again load buses with cans and hope to hear the announcement from Father Collins that they have met their goal — and can have the Monday after the Super Bowl as a day off.
Participation in Archbishop Stepinac collections isn't worthy enough to impress college admission offices. Instead, Archbishop Stepinac is planting little seeds of thoughtfulness in their students. The ongoing participation of the boys, whether it's volunteering and collection for Hurricane Sandy, or for the Midnight Runs for the homeless, or their annual Christmas toy collections, reinforces this thoughtfulness. It also teachers Archbishop Stepinac student body to work together. The students have a shared identity which reinforces their religion. It is a win-win for everyone.