Middle School Student’ s“ Mission” Supports Haiti
Christmas Angels Aid Students in Need
Upcoming GSEF Events
reensburg Salem GREENSBURG SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Middle School Student’ s“ Mission” Supports Haiti
Eighth-grade student Katlyn Swierczynski’ s mission trip to Haiti over the summer was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for the GSMS teen. Seeing the impoverished country after years of hearing about it from her mother’ s volunteer efforts in Haiti made a lasting impression on Katlyn. She recounted her visit to share with others:
“ I went on my very first mission trip this year to Port au Prince, Haiti with my mom and six other teenagers. This was the most amazing experience I have ever felt and seen. The 2010 earthquake that brought the poverty- stricken country to the ground looked as if it had happened last month. Crumbled walls, buildings still collapsed, roads covered with cracks and unbelievable amounts of trash. These things opened my eyes to see just how much I took for granted every single day of my life in America. But the amazing people who lived in the country still managed to survive on next to nothing and make the best of the situation. I found this unbelievable considering the conditions that they lived in. What also shocked me was their amazing ability to always stay hopeful and keep a positive, surviving mindset. From what I could make out from their stories in my broken French Creole abilities, they all found a way to make the best of their situation, no matter how devastating it may be.”
Though the city still appeared ravaged by an earthquake from years earlier, a new concern was on the horizon for Haiti in early October. Hurricane Matthew, a category 5 storm, was making a bee-line for the country, threatening further devastation. Katlyn prepared to take action. She solicited friends, family, schools, and local businesses for sheets, blankets, and towels, hoping to
Christmas Angels Aid Students in Need
prevent the spread of cholera once the hurricane hit. Cholera is an infection spread by unsafe water and food that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria. Katlyn’ s mission was to get enough supplies to fill her mother’ s van. Her efforts resulted in enough donations to fill a 26-foot U-Haul truck, far more than she ever expected.
Katlyn will ship the bedding, towels, and other donations
Families of Nicely Elementary students received some extra help to brighten the holiday season from generous donations from local businesses, community members, and the school’ s faculty. Approximately 90 families were the recipients of hundreds of gifts gathered by our generous GS community. The touched parents were shocked and speechless, many in tears, as they accepted the donated gifts for their children. Principal Chris Thomas reported,“ Passing out the presents to our Nicely families was an extremely fulfilling experience. Giving gifts truly feels better than receiving, and many kindhearted people played a role in bringing the magic of the holidays to these families.”
A sincere thank you goes out to the following: St. Mathias Lutheran Church First Methodist Church Greensburg Police Department- FOP Westinghouse-New Stanton
Upcoming GSEF Events
GSEF will partner with Hose Company No. 8 to hold the annual Designer Handbag Bash on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Marion Hall in Crabtree. The event will feature authentic Coach, Michael Kors, and other designer bags and totes. The ticket cost of $ 25.00 includes the cost of lunch, beverages, and the chance to win a stylish new purse!
The 2017 GSEF Distinguished Alumni Banquet will be held on April 21, 2017 to honor two notable contributors to the Greensburg Salem community, Julius Falcon( Class of 1940) and Bill Jackson( Class of 1958). The event will be held at Lakeview Restaurant at 5:00 p. m., with tickets available for $ 30 each.
For additional information or to purchase tickets for either of these events, please call 724-832-2907.
Katlyn shares bubbles with a girl from a Haitian orphanage.
to St. Luke’ s Foundation for Haiti, an organization that provides healthcare, education, and children’ s programs within the country. While the process to ship such a load from the United States to Haiti is complicated, Katlyn knows that she has helped to make the men, women, and children safer through her humanitarianism. She is looking forward to visiting the country and volunteering at St. Luke’ s again this summer. Safe travels, Katlyn!
Greensburg Salem School Board Members Share the Joy Nicely Staff Members Anonymous Local Business and Private Donors
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