Cornelia Connelly School of the Holy Child Anaheim, CA Actions Not Words More than 300 Cornelia Connelly School students and staff members volunteered throughout Orange County California during All-School Service Day, October 15, exemplifying Cornelia Connelly’s mission of “Actions Not Words.” After an inspiring morning prayer services, teams of volunteers cleaned Huntington State Beach, planted and watered at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, packed boxes of food and supplies at Second Harvest Food Bank, and planted 2,000 broccoli shoots in the Incredible Edible Park in Irvine. Volunteers also visited with families and cleaned at the Orange County Rescue Mission, and packed 180 boxes for needy families at CAP Food Warehouse in Garden Grove. The teams returned to the campus to meet and share their experiences in an all-school assembly. Community Compassion Connelly The Connelly community rallied together in January to help Haiti through Catholic Relief Services. Cornelia Connelly School students, parents and staff raised $6,941.78 for Relief Services assistance in Haiti - and most of the donations were received within the first 24 hours of the donation drive. Kitty Callinan, chair of Connelly's Religious Studies Department, called the Connelly Community to action after hearing the news of the devastation from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti. Callinan and Jane DeJovine, a religious studies instructor, went to each classroom to speak to the girls about the catastrophic destruction caused by the earthquake and Callinan recorded a plea that was sent by phone to each of the school's 260 students. The campus responded in force, and the pair collected checks, bills, even coins during the eight-day mission. Students emptied their wallets into collection baskets daily and gave up hard-earned savings in acts of sacrificial giving. They also banded together, putting on impromptu bake sales. "These acts of love, care and compassion are truly beautiful examples of our school's charism, and goals of justice, peace, compassion and societal and global awareness," said Callinan. Connelly’s strength in service: Students raised $545.50 in January Penny Wars and the money was donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program. Gabrielle Espejo ’10 asked the Connelly community to help with her church’s efforts to gather toys, clothing and shoes, backpacks and school supplies and delivered them in January to 100 children in Tecate, Mexico. Connelly students, families, staff and faculty donated nearly 50 large boxes and baskets of food to St. Philip Benizi Church in Fullerton through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The turkeys, potatoes, rice, canned food and other staples such as diapers and blankets were donated during the November 25 Thanksgiving Mass at Connelly. Mrs. Deisenroth, of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, said Connelly's donation assisted 1,000 people in Orange County, who seek food and other necessities through the Society. Connelly ASB hosted a Canned-Food Dance that was attended by 150 students. Each student brought two cans or more and the group collected 350 cans of food for Second Harvest Food Bank. Alexine Gallagher ’12 organized a canned food drive and collected 316 pounds of food and hygiene products for Second Harvest Food Bank. Katie Yakel ’10 collected coloring books and Crayons through April for the children of Haiti. Connelly will host The American Red on May 25 for the annual blood drive. Cornelia Connelly School in Anaheim donated $6,941.78 to Catholic Relief Services Jan. 22, to assist the people of Haiti. Jane DeJovine (left), a religious studies instructor, and Kitty Callinan (center), chair of the Religious Studies Department led the eight-day donation drive. They are pictured here with Sr. Francine Gunther (right), Head of School.