Members of the Viking Village raised over $3,000 for the Marianist community in Puerto Rico who were affected by Hurricane Maria.
For the week of October 9-13, VASJ students, faculty, and staff were able to dress down for one dollar a day. The money raised was sent to Colegio San Jose in Puerto Rico to help the students’ families pay for school tuition and other expenses.
Like VASJ, Colegio San Jose is a Marianist-sponsored school. It is an all-boys Catholic school based in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. The school building was damaged, but thankfully they were able to open it back up for those who needed shelter.
Mr. Patrick Preto, a VASJ religion teacher, as well as some students, personally know some of the people affected by Hurricane Maria at Colegio San Jose. Mr. Preto brought the idea of a dress down week to VASJ Principal Mr. David Csank who supported the idea.
VASJ’s Christian Leadership class took the initiative and made videos and posters promoting this fundraiser.
They titled the fundraiser, “Rebuilding Colegio San Jose Brick-By-Brick.” This symbolized VASJ sending support to our Marianist friends who need help building their community back up. They also created prayer cards that were signed by all of the VASJ students and staff.
VASJ senior Alandia Strong was one of the members who attended the Marianist L.I.F.E Retreat with students from Colegio San Jose.
“I really enjoyed helping with this project,” says Alandia who is a member of the Christian Leadership class. “Especially with me knowing a couple of the students personally from Colegio San Jose, it made it even more important to have a successful fundraiser.
“There was a lot of student involvement which helped make this fundraiser possible. We were able to dress down and make difference.”
When the fundraiser was over and the prayer cards were completed, VASJ President Mr. Bill Cervenik ’72 and Principal Csank were able to personally deliver VASJ’s well wishes to the Colegio San Jose President who was also attending a Marianist meeting in St. Louis.
“It was great to be there when the Marianist presented all the money raised for our family from Puerto Rico,” says Cervenik. “I was proud of our students, faculty, and staff, for coming together to support those in need.”
The VASJ community came together and showed what it means to truly be a part of a Marianist family.