DAY OF SERVICE

Holy Names students volunteer at the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless as part of the school's service day on March 5. (Provided photo)

The Academy of the Holy Names took a break from academics on March 5, as students, faculty and staff spent the day volunteering at more than 20 different service organizations around the Capital District. The Day of Service demonstrated the dedication of the entire Holy Names community to serve the marginalized, poor and disadvantaged in the Capital District. The focus stems from the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM).

The day consisted of various service projects, ranging from preparing meals at the Sister Maureen Joyce Soup Kitchen to sorting and organizing donations at St. Catherine’s Center for Children, and creating raffle baskets for Night Out For You. Upon returning to AHN, the groups talked about their volunteer experience and created presentations for the school community about the specific organization in which they volunteered. The day ended with a school-wide assembly showcasing students’ presentations. Christian Brothers Academy and Brown Transportation assisted with transportation, the latter courtesy of a grant provided by The Rev. Kenneth J. Doyle Catholic Education Fund.

Holy Names students at the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless. Holy Name students at Eddy Village Green.

The service organizations included: 15 Love (785 Washington Ave., Albany), sorting and organizing; Albany Therapeutic Riding Center (6640 Fuller Station Road, Altamont), clean-up including cleaning the barn, painting and mucking paddocks; Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry (2 Colby St., Albany), working in the food pantry and thrift shop, organizing and assisting as needed; Eddy Village Green at Cohoes  (200 Village Green Drive), organizing storage items, painting and potting plants for residents; Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region (80 Central Ave., Albany), sorting and organizing items; Grassroot Givers (522 Washington Ave., Albany), sorting and organizing clothing and book donations; Habitat for Humanity ReStore (71 Fuller Road, Albany), working at the ReStore, shelving items and assisting customers; HATAS Read & Feed Program (226 N. Allen St., Albany), assisting the distribution of food for area weekend pantry programs; Hoods House of Hoops (340 1st St., Albany), assisting with cleanup in the gym and organizing items.

Holy Names students at 15 Love.

Holy Names students at St. Catherine’s Center for Children.

Night Out For You, creating raffle baskets for upcoming fundraisers; Patroon Land Farm (Ketcham Road, Voorheesville), labeling flower beds and planning items in heated greenhouse; Promenade at University Place (1228 Western Ave., Albany), doing a craft project and interacting with senior residents; Ronald McDonald House (139 S. Lake Ave., Albany), sorting donated “pull-tabs” from soda cans; South End Children’s Café (33 Rensselaer St., Albany), cleaning out and organizing storage area; Sister Maureen Joyce Soup Kitchen (369 Livingston Ave., Albany), preparing meals and assisting participants; St. Catherine’s Center for Children (40 N. Main Ave., Albany), organizing donations the center has received for children in their care; and the St. Louise House (96 Menands Road, Albany), making blankets for Troy schools in need.

The following activities took place at Holy Names: Christ Child Society, donating diapers and learning about what Christ Child Society offers new mothers in need; Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, making and delivering bagged lunches for the guests at the shelter; and Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, painting flowerpots and potting plants for seniors.