Four Bishop Noll classmates ended their senior year doing what they did throughout their four years of high school – helping others.
For their final theology project, Jailynn Thomas, of Gary; Tiffany Daniel, of Gary; Rachel Tredway, of Hammond; and Brittany Anderson, of East Chicago; made and delivered gift bags to cancer patients of Community Hospital in Munster.
Tredway, who will start Purdue University Northwest this fall, said, “We were given an assignment to create our own service project. We chose that we wanted to help those who were sick.”
She most enjoyed seeing the impact they made on the patients.
“They realized that someone was there for them and that people were thinking about them. Some of the patients were very sick and I know us being there at least put a smile on their face,” she said.
This wasn’t the first time she took part in a service project and said they are an important part of a Bishop Noll education. “They have impacted my life severely. It is so rewarding knowing the smallest act of kindness can make a person’s day … this was one of the best things that I have done throughout my high school years and it was a great way to end my senior year. I would not trade what we did, for anything.”
Thomas, who will attend Barton College in Wilson, N.C., this fall, said they made 30 gift bags that included a water bottle, candy, lotion, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a word search book, cheese and crackers, pretzels, hand sanitizer, a small notebook, socks, juice boxes, a pen, a granola bar, tissue, and lip balm. Each bag had a gift tag around the handle that included the name of one or two donors.
The patients were overjoyed to receive the surprise gifts, she said, and some shared stories with the teens. “One of the elderly gentlemen there not only expressed his heartfelt appreciation for our generosity, but he also stated that he didn't often have visitors so seeing new faces made his day. His statement ‘I seriously can't thank you girls enough’ nearly brought us to tears. His reaction as well as the joy of the other patients really capture the essence of why this project and service projects in general are important.”
Thomas said the experience taught her and her classmates that sharing a small token of love and kindness was needed more than they thought.
“This firsthand encounter with those who were sick, elderly, and some who couldn't even walk was a big reminder to me that not only do I need to continue to give back, but I also need to make giving back a part of my daily lifestyle.”
She said the experience was humbling and rewarding. Participating in service projects at Bishop Noll impacted her academic experience.
“Service learning at Noll led me on the path to becoming a well-rounded individual and also showed me the importance of continuously learning and growing both inside and outside the classroom.”
Daniel, who will attend Indiana University-Bloomington this fall, said her group raised money for the gift bags through donations from friends, family and strangers.
“I enjoyed making the gift bags with my friends and also being able to deliver, see, and hear the patients’ faces and stories after giving them the bags … I learned that any small gesture of kindness can brighten up someone's day and also that same gesture can and will leave a huge impression on their lives forever.”
She said service projects like this one were an important part of her Noll education.
“Having to do service projects gave me an eye opening experience and showed me how blessed I was as an individual. If it was not for projects like this one, I do not think I would have been aware of the different situations and problems people have to deal with on a daily basis. This was a great opportunity to learn and grow with my community and Christian faith.”