Students from Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken, and the junior and senior youth groups from Church of the Holy Family, Sewell, will be honored Sunday for their service work at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.
The two groups will receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award on Sunday, April 18, in recognition of their dedication to helping the residents of the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.
Located in Camden, the Ronald McDonald House serves as a home-away-from-home for families of sick or seriously injured children, who are being treated at nearby hospitals.
Up to 25 youth group members from Holy Family, and eight students from Bishop Eustace, have separately been helping the House in such ways as preparing breakfast for residents, volunteering at Ronald McDonald House fundraisers, donating backpacks to children, and making up Easter baskets.
The Bishop Eustace students have been helping out at the house twice a month, as part of a senior class community service program. However, the school’s Christian Service Coordinator, Pat Arnold, says that for the students, it’s not about a requirement; it’s “a Christian way of life.”
On Sunday morning, April 18, six members of the Junior and Senior Youth Group will attend the Recognition Brunch at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey, and receive the award: Caitlyn Ehly (Junior YG), Josh Lee (Junior YG), Laura Lee (Senior YG), Jason Lyons (Senior YG), Jeremy Nevitt (Senior YG), and Andrew Norman (Junior YG).
Created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the award is given to thank those individuals in the United States who, through their dedication in their volunteer work, inspire others to model their actions.