There’s no replacing the joy of opening a brand-new gift on Christmas morning. And thanks to St. John’s students, more and more children in our community will get to experience that unique thrill.
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It’s all part of St. John’s Bread and Life’s Sponsor-a-Family Program, an initiative that allows student volunteers to provide and distribute toys and meals to families in need. “Between the stress of finals and the excitement of the holidays, we often lose sight of the importance of giving back,” said Teresa Pfab ’14Ed. “But this is a time of year when need is usually the greatest, which is why Sponsor-A-Family is so inspiring. To see so many students come together and embody what it means to enter in the spirit of giving is truly remarkable.” Through the program, students actively participate in a family’s entire Christmas process, helping children pick out their presents, obtaining the gifts in November and then distributing these gifts – in addition to complete holiday meals – to the families. By meeting with the children and families they’re helping, students like Pfab learn firsthand that the joy of the season comes from making a difference for others.“It’s incredible to see a child’s eyes light up as they realize they’ll be receiving a gift on Christmas,” Pfab continued, “or to hear such genuine words of appreciation from a family in need. Those are powerful moments for everyone involved.” Based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, St. John’s Bread and Life is a comprehensive food kitchen and social-service agency and is one of many organizations where our students volunteer throughout the year. Please consider making a gift today to help provide opportunities like this for our students, so that they can continue to carry their mission of service into the community. Your support will allow them to continue to make a difference in the future.