News Detail
Gonzaga Drive Helps Families in Need
In December, the Loyola Academy community hosted its annual Gonzaga Christmas Drive, raising over $30,000 and collecting hundreds of boxes of food and gifts for families in need. The Gonzaga Drive seeks to emulate the life and service of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, SJ, who worked with the poor and afflicted in Italy during the late 16th century. Loyola’s Campus Ministry department hosted the first drive in 2010, and it has since become an important holiday tradition at the Academy.
“Each homeroom made a pledge amount—for example, $10 per student—and was matched with a family in need,” explains Mr. Christopher Knoth, campus minister. “Throughout the drive, students collected money and used it to purchase Christmas gifts each family had requested, items like warm weather clothing and toys for children.”
The drive demonstrates how even small acts of generosity add up to create a big impact. The library, for example, raised over $1,000 simply by collecting spare change.
For students, the Gonzaga Drive is a valuable learning experience and an opportunity to put their faith into practice.
“I think it is important that Loyola hosts an annual food and gift drive because not only are we aiding families in the greater community, but it encourages students to really think about those who may be in need, especially during the Advent season,” reflects senior Declan M. Tom.
“While participating in the Gonzaga Drive, I learned how important it is for us to come together as a community in order to give to those in need,” says Elise J. Damasco ’19. “Raising money, buying gifts, collecting food and organizing everything needed to be delivered to the families took time, effort and dedication, but because of this, other families will be able to have an enjoyable holiday season.”
Special thanks to alumni parent David Hollander of Hollander International Storage & Moving for providing a moving van to assist with the transport of the gifts and food.
Editor’s note: The Gonzaga Drive kicked off in November with a festive Christmas party at Maternity BVM, a Catholic elementary school on the West Side of Chicago. The event served as a wonderful way to personalize the Gonzaga experience as Ramblers interacted with Maternity BVM students in activities like face painting, making snowflakes, creating scratch art ornaments, playing pin the nose on Frosty, writing letters to Santa and more. To learn more, click here.
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