Sacred Heart Academy Annual Stocking Drive Promises Smiles on Children Less Fortunate

From Sacred Heart Academy

Christmas is in the air…cinnamon, scented candles, freshly cut balsams...all friendly reminders of the most joyous of holidays. Christmas is known to bring dazzling smiles to children everywhere and each year the Sacred Heart Academy student body is committed to ensuring that smiles will appear on the faces of children less fortunate.

One of the Academy’s most meaningful holiday traditions is the Stocking Drive, spearheaded annually by Student Council. The first day of December marks the beginning of this longstanding service project when “STUCO” representatives provide students with the gender and grade of a child to fill a stocking for and remind them that this may be the only present that their child receives. Suggested items include small toys, toiletries, winter hats, mittens and scarves, art and school supplies. The Drive culminates when the entire school joins in Chapel for the Christmas Prayer Service with each student placing her stocking on the altar. The Student Council is then responsible for distributing stockings to various outreach programs. This year stockings will be directed to St. Francis/St. Rose and St. Martin de Porres Schools, both in New Haven.

A member of Student Council offered, “The Stocking Drive is not only one of the longest standing traditions at Sacred Heart, but also one of our favorites. Our students, faculty, and staff, and alumnae generously prepare stockings for children in need. It’s such a beautiful sight to see the hundreds of stockings spread across the altar at our annual Christmas Prayer Service. We are so very blessed here at Sacred Heart and to extend this blessing to others during the holiday season is truly gratifying.”

And…again this year, our alumnae got in on the act! “The library was abuzz with alumnae filling stockings and staying after to enjoy great refreshments and being together. Thanks to all those who participated, from all different years and decades, we were able to fill 104 stockings - a new alumnae record, “exclaimed Director of Alumnae Relations Sr. Mariette Moan, ASCJ, ‘78. “I cherish this Sacred Heart tradition...I find joy in filling my stocking each year, knowing what it will mean to a child,” shared an alumna.