Cathy Dobson
The Irish Miracle has always been successful but it’s really gained momentum since St. Pat’s and St. Christopher’s merged.
“We are in a blessed position,” said school chaplain Joseph Palko. “We hope to have the same success this year.”
On Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and noon, 500 students, parents and community volunteers are set to knock on every door in Sarnia, Bright’s Grove and Point Edward.
They hope to fill more than 6,500 bags with non-perishable grocery items for St. Vincent de Paul’s Christmas hampers.
The past three Irish Miracles have been able to draw from a much bigger student body of 1,350 students since the two high schools merged.
“We’ve maintained two food drives a year since the schools came together,” said Palko. “So far, we’ve been able to pull it off every time.”
This is the 33rd year for the Irish Miracle, making it a long held tradition that ensures about 1,000 struggling families receive Christmas hampers filled with food.
The community’s strong support plays a big part but the food drive consistently meets its goal because students are so enthusiastic and do a good job, Palko said.
The last few years have included a pep rally in the school gym the week before the drive to encourage student involvement.
An organizing committee headed up by co-chairs Alex Gouveia and Lina Dizon-Mapula takes the message behind the event to local Catholic elementary schools so students there become engaged too.
“It’s amazing to see the committee at work,” said Palko. “About a dozen staff and 30 kids hold the pep rally, make videos, figure out the routes and do all the things that need to get done.
“There’s a whole machine behind this thing.”
While students are anticipated at every door Saturday, residents who can’t answer their door are encouraged to leave a bag of non-perishables on their doorstep marked for the Irish Miracle.
Apartment dwellers will find a box for donations in their lobbies. Purolator will pick those boxes up free-of-charge.
“We are trying to focus more on apartment buildings and find some boxes are overflowing when we come to get them,” said Palko.
Irish Miracle teams will be wearing pins when they come knocking and the car accompanying them will bear a flag.
Donations can also be dropped off at St. Patrick’s school Saturday morning.