Loading 97 Thanksgiving baskets into the truck, seniors Bailey Mipro; Hannah Cao, CLC president; and Cappy Elvir excitedly present the Thanksgiving baskets for distribution to families in Dominican’s neighborhood. “Giving Thanksgiving baskets was unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” said Cao.
Leaves falling, family and friends gathering together, and the sweet aroma of roasted turkey and desserts escaping the kitchen. For most Dominican students, a Thanksgiving Day without these things is unimaginable.
However, for many of the residents of Dominican’s surrounding community, this holiday experience is hard to come by.
While these families often go without, this Thanksgiving season, Dominican, along with other neighborhood partners, provided families with a fall feast.
Throughout the month of November, Dominican students donated items through their clubs and homerooms, generating over 97 Thanksgiving baskets for the local community.
Along with Christian Leadership Council, students crafted baskets including Thanksgiving essentials such as potatoes, stuffing and rice, providing all the necessities for a successful Thanksgiving meal.
“Giving Thanksgiving baskets is a way of reaching out to the community around us and living out the Dominican Pillars,” said Ms. Claire Gallagher (’04), campus minister “They help us recognize that we have these gifts and are called to share them with others.”
Giving to Gert Town and the surrounding community, juniors Alondra Teran and Tionne Duncan bring completed Thanksgiving baskets to Alumnae Hall. Dominican set a new record this year, giving 97 Thanksgiving baskets.
Dominican, St. Rita Catholic School and Mary Queen of Peace School partnered with Xavier Community Outreach Center to distribute Thanksgiving baskets to Gert Town families.
By giving to the surrounding community, students live out the Dominican pillars of Service and Community.
“It’s really powerful to see on an individual basis the numbers and the magnitude of how our entire school coming together can make a difference,” said Ms. Gallagher.
While students participated in crafting the baskets, Christian Leadership Council officers experienced the effects of giving by distributing the baskets first hand.
“Working with Xavier to deliver the baskets and seeing the people who receive them was definitely an eye-opening experience,” said senior Hannah Cao, CLC president. “Meeting people who don’t always have the basic necessities, like food, put things into perspective and made me thankful for everything that I do have.”
This year, Dominican set a new school record for number of Thanksgiving baskets. The donations delivered meals to families in need. The donations also delivered the joy and love of the fall season to the Dominican community.
For Dominican students, the donations also kicked off the holidays and enlivened the spirit of giving as Christmas approaches. For sophomore Isabelle Fitzmorris, the Thanksgiving baskets made her reflect on the upcoming holiday months.
“I think giving back is really important at Christmas time and throughout the year as well,” said Fitzmorris. “By donating, Dominican gives families all the gifts of the season.”
- Vivian Palmer
Original Artwork by National Art Honor Society member Reagan Perry, junior