One of the great joys of Catholic education is witnessing our faith come alive through service to others. Across the Diocese of Allentown, our schools consistently offer students opportunities to live out Christ’s call to love, generosity, and compassion.
Today, I am proud to share one inspiring example of this mission in action at St. Michael the Archangel School, Coopersburg-Bethlehem, where middle school students are making a meaningful impact through their Builders Club.
The Builders Club, the largest international student-led middle school service organization, is sponsored by Kiwanis International and is designed to show students the importance and lasting impact of volunteering within their communities. At St. Michael, the club is locally sponsored by the Emmaus Kiwanis, and students work closely with them throughout the year on a wide variety of service projects.
“I am immensely proud of our students for making a positive impact and offering their time to support our community in need. Their commitment truly embodies the values we cherish at our school," said Marianne Gano, Principal.
This school year, Builders Club students have engaged in various community service activities. They participated in the Miracle League Trunk or Treat with Emmaus Kiwanis, two Cops and Kids Trunk or Treat events, and volunteered at the Emmaus Kiwanis Special Needs Christmas Party. They packed food for Feed the Children, prepared supplies for Luminary Night in Bethlehem, and Christmas-caroled at Sacred Heart Assisted Living.
Additionally, they created seasonal cards and colored ornaments for Meals on Wheels and Sacred Heart, supported Book Bingo at Jackson Early Childhood Center, and helped with the Emmaus Kiwanis Easter egg hunt.
With more service opportunities planned, the Builders Club is dedicated to positively impacting their community.
“The Builders Club members strengthen each other as well as the community through our acts of service,” said Catherine Brogan, St. Michael student and club president.
Beyond these ongoing projects, the Builders Club has demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing real community needs. Last year, students collected over 2,000 books for the Cops and Kids program and delivered approximately 800 books to Sheridan Elementary School in Allentown.
This past February, the group expanded its outreach by visiting Jefferson Elementary School, providing gently used books to students who might not otherwise have access to reading materials of their own.
“This experience was incredibly powerful for our students,” said Denise Teles-Carl, club moderator. “They felt genuine generosity and goodwill knowing they were providing something as simple and as essential as books to children close to their own age, or even the age of their siblings.”
What makes the Builders Club at St. Michael especially meaningful is not only the scope of service, but the formation taking place within the students themselves. Through each project, they are learning empathy, responsibility, and the joy that comes from helping others, lessons that will remain with them long after middle school.
St. Michael the Archangel School has shown us that when faith and action come together, the results can truly transform hearts, both for those who serve and those who are served.
By Cara Meskill, Director of Enrollment and School Marketing, diocesan Office of Education.
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