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Students pack food at Red River Community Action.
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When asked what the students have been up to this Fall, Jacquelyn first mentions their work with Red River Community Action. "We've gone there 7 times over the last 3 weeks," she says. Four or five students go each time to pack food into boxes for those in need. Red River Community Action has all the materials, they just need the manpower.
That's not true of the blood drive Jacquelyn and Anna organized with the Dak Minn Blood Bank. The blood drive was held in the basement of undCatholic. Thirteen student came and donated blood, about one pint each. "I actually couldn't be there," said Jacquelyn. "After organizing it, I caught COVID." Anna ran the blood drive herself, and the staff of Dak Minn were "really happy" with the turnout. They are planning to return in the spring for another blood drive.
(Continued below...)
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Boxes full of food, thanks to the work of undCatholic students.
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Then there are the babies. Students from the Newman Center have been volunteering at the Womens' Pregnancy Center in Grand Forks, staffing the boutique where expectant mothers can get the baby items they need. Jacquelyn and Anna told the staff to call them whenever volunteers are needed. So far, Newman Center students have gone three times.
In addition to all of that, the Service Chairs haven't forgotten the homeless in our city.
(Continued below...)
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You may remember last year's "Box City" -- a sleep-out and fundraiser on the Newman Center lawn to support Northlands Rescue Mission. Since that night, the number of homeless in Grand Forks has increased, due to the pandemic. Driving around town, anyone would notice how many men and women need our help. So Jaquelyn and Anna decided to meet them right where they are.
"A lot of people showed up to make 'homeless kits'," said Jacquelyn. "We made 25 total." The kits each contain supplies to help as the winter sets in and the pandemic continues: gloves, hats, masks, hand sanitizer. Students will carry them in their cars and give them out when they meet someone in need. Each kit also contains a hand-written letter from a student, because service is not just about helping people, but about treating them as a beloved son or daughter of God.
"That's quite the semester you've had," I said as Jacquelyn finished up her list of projects. "Yeah..." she replied. "We've actually got another project going as well, a volunteering program with Altru to deliver food to shut-ins, but I don't know as much about that. One of the other service chairs is taking the lead there." I don't press for more details. Our Jacquelyn seems to already -- please pardon the pun -- have a lot on her plate.
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If you are looking for way to help students in the new year, please consider some of the renovations needed at our Newman Center. We've got projects to fit any size gift. Click the pictures below to see what needs fixing.
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Click the brochures above to see how you can help make the Newman Center and the Newman House "Home Away From Home"
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Want to tell the whole world that you love undCatholic but don't want to wear out your voice? We've got a solution! We've teamed up with NOVUS -- started by former FOCUS missionaries -- to bring you a limited run shirts, sweats, and hats to show the world how great our Newman Center is.
Click the sweatshirt below to visit the store.
STORE IS ONLY OPEN UNTIL DEC 31ST!!!
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Grant, O merciful God
that I may ardently desire,
prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge,
and perfectly accomplish
all that is pleasing to you,
for the praise and glory of
your Name.
Amen.
- Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas.
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