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You are here: Home / Community of Saints School / Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2021

Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2021

Published November 2, 2021

Isaac’s Wish — To Help Homeless

“My name is Isaac. I want to help the homeless!”

Isaac Garcia is a Sophomore at Cretin Derham Hall. Shortly after his family moved from IGH to
near Mounds Park, Isaac noticed the many people walking to a church in their neighborhood.
This church offers services to those who are homeless. As winter approached, he began asking,
“Where are they going to go? As it got colder outside, Isaac thought about the people he saw
every day. He thought about what he might be able to do to help them. He wrote down his
thoughts and titled it, “Isaac’s Christmas Wish”….I’m going to do my best to work at getting
donations and make sure the poor people will at least have one night of warmth and some
food this Christmas.”

Isaac met with the people at the church near his home to find out what kinds of things would
be most helpful for the homeless people who came there. Then he began asking for donations
of money and supplies so he could assemble “Blessing Bags”. Each bag contained a collection of
items such as hand warmers, bottled water, fruit snacks, and granola bars. Small but useful
things. Isaac turned to his school community, COS, for help. Donation boxes were put near the
school office and the word was spread to school families. They collected boxes full of socks,
hats, mittens, jackets, and boots, as well as personal care items like soap and toothbrushes
His goal date was the week before Christmas. Entire rooms in his home were full of the things
he had collected. When he arrived at the church all the donations were laid out on tables.
People were invited to take what they needed. The shelter was full-on Christmas and over 100
people were there for dinner. Families with children, including babies. One man in a wheelchair
came to Isaac to shake his hand and say “thanks”. Isaac was touched. Isaac plans to do this each
Christmas. “This is my Christmas wish this year. – Love Isaac.”

For the past 2 years, we as St. Matthews have helped Isaac fulfill his “Christmas Wish”! Even last
year, when there were no masses due to the pandemic, many boxes were filled with the
donations left at the Parish Center! Isaac’s Blessing Bags has been registered as a Non-profit
Organization. As a parish, we want to help Isaac again!! This past year has been difficult for
many! The need is even greater! We ask that you bring donations for “Isaac’s Blessing Bags”
and leave them in the back of the church. Donations may also be brought to the Parish Center
9 am – 1 pm Mon – Thurs. The last day to donate will be Sunday, Dec. 5th. Isaac will speak at the Sat. mass on Nov. 6th. His talk will be live-streamed at the online mass on Nov. 7th.

Donation suggestions for Men, Women & Children
Handwarmers Socks Hats Mittens Jackets Boots Scarves Sweaters
Bottled Water Soap Fruit Snacks Granola Bars Toothbrushes Deodorant
Combs Hair Brushes Disposable Razors Diapers Small Toys for Babies & Children

Students assemble Isaac’s Blessing Bags at Community of Saints Regional Catholic School in West St. Paul

 

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Filed Under: Community of Saints School, Community Service. Posted by Richard Schletty

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