PRESSURE STAYS ON REC DISTRICT
April 13, 2018
Norris Ledet
April 13, 2018
Religious leaders, business employees, as well as school faculty and families are coming together to improve the quality of a local school’s campus.
As part of the ongoing “Bread and Stones” campaign, Father Craig Dalferes of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church has partnered with St. Francis’ Episcopal Church, Comcast, as well as Faculty and families of Legion Park Elementary School to “beautify” the school’s campus on April 21st.
“I think the best way we to combat violence and polarization in our communities is to be proactive in nurturing the ties that bind us together,” said Dalferes. “What better way to do that than to work for the wellbeing of all God’s children, especially the young ones!”
Dalferes said the Bread and Stones campaign was named after a something Jesus said, “Which of you, if a child asked for bread would give him a stone?”
The campaign is part of a statewide initiative encouraging churches to partner with civic and government facilities to assist children who are underserved.
The St. Matthew’s and St. Francis’ churches adopted Legion Park Elementary School, said Dalferes. In doing so, they have thus far assisted with after-school tutoring programs, held a teacher appreciation week, and provided Christmas presents for every student.
“There are so many people of good will and with hearts full of compassion in our community and I think this is something to be celebrated and nurtured,” said Dalferes.
Comcast, an American telecommunication company, also likes to give back to communities through its “Comcast Cares” program. “Each year employees volunteer out in the community We pick a nonprofit organization to do some work; normally on Saturdays.” said Dan Matherne, Comcast’s Tech Ops manager for the Houma Laplace regions.
This is where the two campaigns converge. Dalferes contacted Matherne last year about the Legion Park Elementary and although last year Comcast had already scheduled their project, this year they are setting their sights on the school.
“It’s going to be quite big, about half our employees work on Saturday, but with the rest and their family members, about 15,” said Matherne.
The 15 mentioned by Matherne is only from Comcast, St. Francis is drumming up volunteers as well and the School’s faculty, administration, and family are taking part also, said Dalferes.
The goals are as follows: clean and pain the sign in front of the school and build two picnic tables to be made available for the school children on the playground.
After completion St. Matthew’s members are providing a fish fry for the volunteers to have lunch.
There is also a grant provided by Comcast which donates money based on the number of volunteers to take part. Dalaferes will be applying for this on the school’s behalf.
Dalaferes got involved with the Bread and Stone campaign about 2 years ago. He chose to adopt Legion Park Elementary School because it had over 300 students, all of which qualified for free or reduced lunch programs, he said.
“We’re trying, as churches, to support our community,” said Dalferes, “I think all that we’ve done has been appreciated.”
Father Craig Dalferes, of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, has parinered with St. Francis’ Episcopal Church, Comcast and also family and faculty at Legion Park Elementary School to ‘beautify’ the school’s compass on April 21.
