Heaven Cent Helps Many

                  Supplied by Huron Superior Catholic District School Board… Sault Ste. Marie:  The inaugural Heaven Cent campaign at St. Mary’s College picked up where its predecessor left off.  The 2015 Advent fundraiser, organized by students, has raised over $14,000 dollars in just three weeks!

“The students, once again, have done a tremendous job in organizing this fundraiser and supporting it.  It encompasses everything Catholic education is about: giving, compassion and living the Gospel,” said Heaven Cent Mentor, Christopher Czop.

The wrap-up presentation and liturgy took place on Tuesday, as funds continued to pour in, with ten local organizations, as chosen by students, receiving cheques.  This year’s beneficiaries of the Heaven Cent campaign include Pauline’s Place, Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent Place, the Pregnancy Centre, Breaking Away, the Soup Kitchen Community Centre, Breton House, the Algoma Autism Foundation, Children’s Rehabilitation Algoma and Women in Crisis.

Heaven Cent is a three-pronged ‘AAA’ campaign which stands for Adoption, Action and Alms.

The Adoption aspect will carry on the tradition from St. Basil Secondary of purchasing gifts for students in the Huron-Superior Catholic District Board.  The Action component is new and involves classes reaching out to members of our community.  Some classes helped at nursing homes, others created cards for seniors, and others baked for local agencies.  The Alms component, carried on from St. Mary’s College, involves raising funds for various local organizations as selected by the students.

“As expected, our students have embraced this special Advent campaign.  Even though the name has changed and the campaign has expanded its scope, it continues to bring out the best in everyone at St. Mary’s College,” said SMC Principal, Cindy Sawyer.

Funds from the Heaven Cent campaign were also directed to the SMC Breakfast Program and to individuals and families in need who are associated with the school.