With Christmas approaching, St. Peter’s students and staff are radiating with Christmas cheer through their participation in charitable projects and a sweet visit from St. Nicholas.
As part of the HOUSE program, students “adopted” seven impoverished children and purchased Christmas gifts for them. Several teachers also agreed to adopt their own child for Christmas.
This project was organized in partnership with the Richland County Children’s Services.
The HOUSE program is made up six houses, each named after an apostle, and approximately 50 students in grades 7-12.
While this is the first year for the project to be performed by the HOUSE students, HOUSE coordinator Angie Dillon said St. Peter’s School has organized project for the past several years.
Additionally, Key Club organized an opportunity for students to donate coats, coloring books, puzzle, crayons, among other items to the Samaritan’s Purse.
And last, but perhaps not least, on Friday morning, elementary students found a delicious surprise in a spot some people may least expect—the students’ shoes.
Friday marked the feast of St. Nicholas, who, as tradition goes, had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting gifts in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus.
St. Peter’s students were treated with oranges wrapped in plastic bags. In addition, they were greeted by St. Nicholas himself. This role was played by eighth grade student Michael Tridico and fellow eighth grader Alec Baldasare served as his helper.
Together, the two visited the classrooms at the elementary to pass out candy canes to the excited students.
