Saint Francis Xavier students help the homeless for the holidays

Photo courtesy of Angie Moon

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An eighth grade student carries in wrapping paper Saint Francis Xavier students collected as others unload boxes of clothes.

KEARNS - Saint Francis Xavier Regional School has raised funds and collected clothing and toys for the homeless at the Road Home. The money will go to the Candy Cane Corner store, where parents staying in Road Home shelters can go to select Christmas presents for their families.

"This year with the struggling economy and more people out of work, we will assist about 2,500 individuals totaling 600 families," said Celeste Eggert, Road Home director of development and communications. "Our shelter is the largest in Utah, and is always full with a waiting list. We have housed 1,000 people in our shelters with the recent cold weather Utah has been experiencing. The Road Home also has an overflow shelter in Midvale, which houses an average of 30 families. With the cold weather, they have been averaging 55 families."

The students at St. Francis Xavier wanted to help the homeless after hearing Road Home Executive Director Matt Minkovich speak to them last year.

"Each of our grade levels are collecting new, unopened and unwrapped toys, or clothing items for children in their same age group from pre-school to eighth grade," said Patrick Reeder, St. Francis Xavier principal. "The school collected the items and parents from our Home and School committee took the eighth grade students to deliver them to the Candy Cane Corner on Dec. 18."

"This is the second year we have participated in Candy Cane Corner," said Angie Moon, St. Francis Xavier advancement director. "Candy Cane Corner has been nice because we asked each class to bring in something for their age group, and gave them general sizes. They brought in coats, pajamas, other clothes and toys. They knew what children their own age group would like. The students also brought in wrapping paper and bows for the Candy Cane Corner wrapping station for the homeless to wrap their presents.

"Our Home and School program helped us coordinate this project, and helped us sort the clothing into sizes, and categories, which gave us an idea of what we had," said Moon. "We then boxed the clothing and toys and delivered them. With the Home and School parents taking the eighth graders to the Candy Cane Corner, they were able to see where the items were going and whom they were serving. They also toured the Road Home."

Moon said the middle school students also brought in socks during Drug Awareness Red Ribbon Week for the Candy Cane Corner. Also during Halloween, the Student Council raised $334 by raffling off three Halloween baskets and donated the money to the Road Home.

Sierra Atkins, an eighth grader, said her visit to drop off goods at the Candy Cane Corner was, "inspirational, and made her realize how grateful she is for the things she has."

"It made me feel happy that I was able to deliver clothes to those who need help," said Alex Dobish, eighth grade student body vice president.

"I think the students were all impressed by the opportunity to tour the facility and see how their contributions would help the less fortunate," Moon said.