Before the holidays began at the end of December, St. Mary’s College (SMC) proudly hosted its annual cheque-giving ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, marking the culmination of its Heaven Cent Campaign. This initiative embodies the true spirit of the Advent season, uniting the SMC community to spread hope, joy, and love through almsgiving, acts of service, and the adoption of families in need.

As a Catholic school community, SMC embraces its mission to reflect Christ’s love by giving back and creating a lasting impact. Through the Heaven Cent Campaign, SMC raised over $17,000 to support local non-profits, including St. Vincent Place, Algoma Autism Foundation, Pregnancy Centre, Women in Crisis, Habitat for Humanity, Breton House, The Soup Kitchen, THRIVE Child Development, Breaking Away, Pauline’s Place, Therapeutic Ride Algoma, The Soo Pee Wee Association, and Helping Hands, Caring Hearts.

“This campaign reminds us that almsgiving is not just about providing financial support—it’s about sharing Christ’s love and being His hands and feet,” said SMC Vice-Principal Christopher Czop. “At St. Mary’s College, we are deeply committed to helping those in need and building a brighter future for our community. The generosity of our students and staff is a true testament to their faith and compassion.”

The Heaven Cent Campaign is guided by three pillars: Action, Adoption, and Alms.

• Action: Students and staff engaged with the community by visiting nursing homes, baking for local agencies, and creating 1,000 Christmas cards for seniors. Over 140 pounds of canned goods were also donated to support food banks.
• Adoption: SMC adopted 61 individuals, including 29 secondary and 32 elementary students, as well as elderly individuals, providing gifts and heartfelt support.
• Alms: Through student-led fundraising events, the entire school embraced the true meaning of Christmas, contributing to a campaign that embodies selfless giving.

For many of the organizations who received the donation, the money will go to supporting those who need it the most. The funds will be used to provide essential resources such as food, shelter, and programs that bring hope and stability to vulnerable individuals and families.

“We are always so grateful to the SMC community for their hard work every December to support St. Vincent Place and other local organizations,” said Sara McCleary, Marketing Manager at St. Vincent Place. “The generosity of the students and staff will help to provide hundreds of food packages to local families in our Lunches for Learning program. We couldn’t help those we do without the selfless actions of supporters like SMC.”

Pauline’s Place also shared its appreciation for SMC’s efforts.

“Pauline’s Place is extremely grateful for the continued support from the Heaven Cent Campaign,” said Tiffany Vanzant, Residential Supervisor at Pauline’s Place. “This donation will assist with groceries, to offset resident needs, and cleaning products for the shelter. We would like to thank the staff and students of St. Mary’s for their tireless efforts in making our community better.”

The cheque-giving ceremony celebrated not only the funds raised but also the profound impact of SMC’s acts of love. “Together, we are making a difference—not just for today, but for the future,” Vice-Principal Czop concluded.