Middle School Student ’ s “ Mission ” Supports Haiti
Christmas Angels Aid Students in Need
Upcoming GSEF Events
reensburg Salem GREENSBURG SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Middle School Student ’ s “ Mission ” Supports Haiti
Eighth-grade student Katlyn Swierczynski ’ s mission trip to Haiti over the summer was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for the GSMS teen . Seeing the impoverished country after years of hearing about it from her mother ’ s volunteer efforts in Haiti made a lasting impression on Katlyn . She recounted her visit to share with others :
“ I went on my very first mission trip this year to Port au Prince , Haiti with my mom and six other teenagers . This was the most amazing experience I have ever felt and seen . The 2010 earthquake that brought the poverty- stricken country to the ground looked as if it had happened last month . Crumbled walls , buildings still collapsed , roads covered with cracks and unbelievable amounts of trash . These things opened my eyes to see just how much I took for granted every single day of my life in America . But the amazing people who lived in the country still managed to survive on next to nothing and make the best of the situation . I found this unbelievable considering the conditions that they lived in . What also shocked me was their amazing ability to always stay hopeful and keep a positive , surviving mindset . From what I could make out from their stories in my broken French Creole abilities , they all found a way to make the best of their situation , no matter how devastating it may be .”
Though the city still appeared ravaged by an earthquake from years earlier , a new concern was on the horizon for Haiti in early October . Hurricane Matthew , a category 5 storm , was making a bee-line for the country , threatening further devastation . Katlyn prepared to take action . She solicited friends , family , schools , and local businesses for sheets , blankets , and towels , hoping to
Christmas Angels Aid Students in Need
prevent the spread of cholera once the hurricane hit . Cholera is an infection spread by unsafe water and food that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria . Katlyn ’ s mission was to get enough supplies to fill her mother ’ s van . Her efforts resulted in enough donations to fill a 26-foot U-Haul truck , far more than she ever expected .
Katlyn will ship the bedding , towels , and other donations
Families of Nicely Elementary students received some extra help to brighten the holiday season from generous donations from local businesses , community members , and the school ’ s faculty . Approximately 90 families were the recipients of hundreds of gifts gathered by our generous GS community . The touched parents were shocked and speechless , many in tears , as they accepted the donated gifts for their children . Principal Chris Thomas reported , “ Passing out the presents to our Nicely families was an extremely fulfilling experience . Giving gifts truly feels better than receiving , and many kindhearted people played a role in bringing the magic of the holidays to these families .”
A sincere thank you goes out to the following : St . Mathias Lutheran Church First Methodist Church Greensburg Police Department- FOP Westinghouse-New Stanton
Upcoming GSEF Events
GSEF will partner with Hose Company No . 8 to hold the annual Designer Handbag Bash on Saturday , March 4 , 2017 at Marion Hall in Crabtree . The event will feature authentic Coach , Michael Kors , and other designer bags and totes . The ticket cost of $ 25.00 includes the cost of lunch , beverages , and the chance to win a stylish new purse !
The 2017 GSEF Distinguished Alumni Banquet will be held on April 21 , 2017 to honor two notable contributors to the Greensburg Salem community , Julius Falcon ( Class of 1940 ) and Bill Jackson ( Class of 1958 ). The event will be held at Lakeview Restaurant at 5:00 p . m ., with tickets available for $ 30 each .
For additional information or to purchase tickets for either of these events , please call 724-832-2907 .
Katlyn shares bubbles with a girl from a Haitian orphanage .
to St . Luke ’ s Foundation for Haiti , an organization that provides healthcare , education , and children ’ s programs within the country . While the process to ship such a load from the United States to Haiti is complicated , Katlyn knows that she has helped to make the men , women , and children safer through her humanitarianism . She is looking forward to visiting the country and volunteering at St . Luke ’ s again this summer . Safe travels , Katlyn !
Greensburg Salem School Board Members Share the Joy Nicely Staff Members Anonymous Local Business and Private Donors
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