Saint John Vianney Students Load Buses For Texas Flooding Victims

HOLMDEL, NJ — Saint John Vianney High School (SJVHS) students, staff, and faculty participated in a Texas Hurricane Relief Drive last week along with Holmdel police, Holmdel Fire & Rescue Company #2 and Holmdel OEM.

The SJVHS community collected items such as batteries, diapers, toiletries, cleaning supplies, buckets, work gloves, flashlights, first aid kits, laundry detergent, storage bins, blankets, and socks. These items were packed in an SJVHS school bus and brought to Holmdel Fire & Rescue Company #2, where they will be delivered to those in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey.

SJVHS Advancement Officer Julie Pasquale and SJVHS Principal Steven DiMezza organized the event, along with Holmdel Police Detective Eric Hernando.

Many students helped to transport the items that were collected.

“Ever since I heard reports about Hurricane Harvey, I instantly thought about how Hurricane Sandy tremendously affected me in 2012," said SJVHS junior Coleton DiMezza. "Sandy blew in and destroyed a big portion of certain parts of New Jersey, and I cannot imagine how Houston was going to prepare for a similar storm. There simply isn't a way to prepare. This is why I felt the need to give back and possibly help the people of Houston. Even in small amounts, any donation to people in need can be helpful. I am glad the SJV community was able to contribute to this amazing cause."

“It’s not my nature to be a spectator, to stand by and watch. Stuff the Bus for Texas was a humbling experience for me," said Pasquale. "It directed me to refocus from the trivial onto what matters. What matters is trying to provide comfort and relief to so many people in need."

Top photo: Students G. Beitler, R. Gonzalez, C. DiMezza, S. Ciupinski, SJVHS Advancement Officer Mrs. Julie Pasquale and SJVHS Employee Mr. Steve Giannios unload the items at Holmdel Fire & Rescue Company #2 facility.