|
“We’re here tonight to celebrate the season of giving” said Liz Martin, Vice President/Administrator at the Riverside Tappahannock Hospital, at the hospital’s second annual lighting of the tree ceremony. St. Margaret’s students were invited as special guests to attend the ceremony to honor their gift of the community art project “Hope for the Planet” on permanent display in the hospital lobby. The twenty-eight wire birds— adorned with beads, pieces of glass, wood and other found objects—hang from the skylights in the hospital foyer. St. Margaret’s students under the guidance of artist-in-residence and art teacher Konstantina Konst Konstantinov, devoted after school and weekend hours to guiding students in the creation of these intricate works of art. The birds were donated to the hospital to bring joy to its patients and visitors and remind everyone of the healing power of nature, and of our beautiful location on the Rappahannock River. The community art projects are quickly becoming a tradition at St. Margaret’s and are only one of many ways the school strives to give back to the larger Tappahannock-Essex County community.
While St. Margaret’s is committed to community service and outreach year round, during the holiday season we find it particularly important and poignant to reach out. To coordinate the community service efforts of various organizations, Essex County appoints a Christmas Mother. The Christmas Mother Fund supports the philanthropic efforts of all organizations during the holiday season. Starting in October, St. Margaret’s School hosted on campus fund raisers including a bake sale and a Blue/Grey competition. With the funds raised—over $700—the school was able to purchase 13 bicycles to be donated to Essex County Christmas Mother for distribution to local families in need. When drafting her wish list this year, the Christmas Mother anticipated needing at least seventy bikes for county children.
Additionally, Basic Needs, the student-run community service organization, held their annual stocking drive for the Salvation Army. Club members collected stockings filled with goodies for all age groups of children to donate to the Salvation Army who will in turn distribute them to community families of lesser means. St. Margaret’s students also kept up a long standing tradition of ringing the iconic bell to collect donations for the Salvation Army.
Part of St. Margaret’s mission of educating young women for life is instilling in our students a commitment to community service and giving back—a commitment that has endured since the school’s founding.
|
 |
SMS students greet a young donator while
ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
Thirteen bikes, awaiting delivery.
Members of the art team attended the
Riverside Tappahannock Hospital annual
Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
|
