St. Joe community helps Hope Lodge for second year
For the second straight year, St. Joseph Catholic School students, faculty, staff and parents have come to the aid of the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Jackson.
St. Joe students, faculty, staff and families have spent the past few weeks collecting non-perishable food items, paper towels and other items for the Hope Lodge, where cancer patients stay free of charge when receiving necessary medical treatment
“This year, St. Richard Catholic School joined us to help Hope Lodge and cancer patients,” said Samantha Poole, the St. Joe teacher who organized the outreach effort, adding that both schools collected more than 3,000 items and more than $3,500 in cash.
“I can’t think of a better way to help families who travel out of town to Jackson for cancer treatment,” she said. “Providing them with a place to stay along with these household essentials, all free of charge, gives them one less thing to worry about.”
The Hope Lodge, 2615 N. State St., offers 32 guest rooms near cancer treatment centers in the area. Among other things, the lodge provides private guest rooms, a fully equipped community kitchen, free laundry rooms with supplies, televisions and computer access.
St. Joe also sold T-shirts in support of the Hope Lodge with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the American Cancer Society. St. Joe football fans are encouraged to wear the shirts at the “pink out” football game Friday, Oct. 11, when St. Joe hosts Natchez Cathedral.
In addition, fans will be able to make cash donations at the game for Hope Lodge and the American Cancer Society. St. Joe students raised additional funds by donating money in exchange for a non-uniform day at school.
Helping the Hope Lodge is just one of several community outreach efforts St. Joe organizes every year. St. Joe students, families and staff also collect food for local food banks, feed families at Thanksgiving and Christmas and host an Angel Tree for children at Christmas.
The school’s largest annual community fundraiser happens every spring. The annual BruinTHON dance marathon raises money for Children’s of Mississippi; the April 2024 event raised a record $20,007 for the children’s hospital.
“I am so proud of the effort our St. Joe community has shown to help those in needs,” said Dr. Dena Kinsey, principal of St. Joe. “This is what our school is all about: educating students and reaching out in the community to help others. We work every day to follow the call of Jesus to serve those in need.”