Inquiries from students, teachers, and families began to pour into Sister Mary McCarthy's office almost immediately after Hurricane Sandy tore through the northeast, leaving a wake of devastation in some regions.
"What can we do to help?" the Mercy High School community wanted to know.
McCarthy, Mercy's president, faced a dilemma. "We were already in the middle of our Thanksgiving food drive." Also, she adds, "these kids have collected for about five things since school started, so we wanted to be sensitive" about seeking another round of donations.
Still, McCarthy felt the same compulsion to do something as the rest of the Mercy family, so she began to search for an outlet for its charitable spirit. Then she thought of Catherine McAuley High School in Brooklyn, NY, where she is a member of the Board of Trustees.
Catherine McAuley is located in one of the areas that the hurricane hit hardest. Although the school itself was spared damage, "many families of students and teachers were affected," according to McCarthy. "They lost vehicles, furnishings, and other possessions."
Compounding the difficult circumstances faced by the Brooklyn school is the fact that it is located in a district where median household income is almost $10,000 below state average.
"There's need there," says McCarthy.
Mercy students and teachers are well acquainted with Catherine McAuley, a fellow all-girls school in the Sisters of Mercy network of academies, which comprise almost 80 primary, secondary, and higher education institutions worldwide. Nearly every year, Mercy students travel to their sister school for an event, or its students visit the Middletown campus.
McCarthy emphasizes that Catherine McAuley's "personal connection with our school," makes this relief project "more meaningful."
"It hits home," she summarizes.
McCarthy says that thus far Mercy's efforts toward the project have primarily consisted of "a collection jar in the main office" and a notice on the school website, due to the overlap with its other charity drives. However, she plans "more aggressive fundraising next week," having decided to extend the project by a week from its originally scheduled endpoint.
A check will be presented to Catherine McAuley shortly thereafter. The New York school has not been informed of Mercy's labors on its behalf.
Although the school has not publicized its endeavor, McCarthy makes clear that Mercy also welcomes contributions to the cause from those outside of its community.
"We'll take any donations," she stresses.
If you want to help Mercy's effort to aid families from Catherine McAuley High School that are struggling after Hurricane Sandy, contact the school office at (860) 346-6659. The school is seeking monetary contributions only.
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