When Jack Tartamosa was in the second grade, he learned something that troubled him – and has stuck with him ever since.
“I couldn’t believe it when my teacher told me there were kids and teens who didn’t have a coat during the winter,” says Tartamosa, who was attending Resurrection Catholic School, Cherry Hill. “Our school has a dress down day each month, and I had asked if we could collect money to buy coats. My principal at the time, Sister Lydia Etter, encouraged me to collect coats instead of money.”
That blossomed into an annual tradition, one that Tartamosa continues today as a sophomore at Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill.
“Every year, I just remember the first thought that inspired me, because it sadly doesn’t go away,” he says.
Over the years, the drive has grown to include collecting donations at his home parish of The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill, in addition to Resurrection Catholic and Camden Catholic.
“The amount of coats that we have collected over the years has doubled from the first year to this year,” he says, noting more than 460 coats collected in his latest drive.
Tartamosa, 15, and his family credit parish and school staff for their assistance with making connections and supporting the annual collection.
“The collection would not be at all possible without the support of the school and parish communities,” he says. “It really is amazing how people come together and are so generous. It really is about all of the people who take the time to donate.”
He has always had the support of his three younger brothers, who help to transport, sort and deliver the coats. Now that his twin brothers are the same age as he was when he started the collection, they lead the efforts at Resurrection Catholic.
Earlier this month, “my brothers, my parents, and I spent the day sorting all of the coats by size and checking for broken zippers and stains,” he says. “It really is a team effort.”
Jen LaRosa, director of campus ministry for Camden Catholic High School, has known Tartamosa since he was in kindergarten.
“Our sons are the same age and went to Resurrection Catholic together before both of them coming to Camden Catholic, so I have known him quite a while,” she says. “I was thrilled when he wanted to bring his coat drive to CCHS because I knew he would have the support of our entire community.”
Over the years, LaRosa has seen the young man’s collection reach more in need.
“The impact is great, especially during these tough economic times, when many children are in need of warm coats,” she says. “His efforts have had a ripple effect on the whole community, and I love to see the pile of coats keep growing and growing.”
LaRosa says that Tartamosa’s annual tradition is a strong reminder that all are called to help one another, and to be loving and supportive to those in need.
“There is nothing more important in life than making a difference in the life of someone in need,” she says. “A Catholic education is invaluable in teaching the importance of love and service to others. You just don’t see it in other schools.”
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