VIDEO: St. Francis Prep Students Collect Toiletries for Veterans in Queens
FRESH MEADOWS —Students at St. Francis Preparatory School are finding a way to thank the nation’s veterans through a donation drive aimed at helping those in need.
Members of the school’s Franciscan Youth Movement are collecting everyday essentials, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and other toiletries, for veterans at the St. Albans VA Medical Center in Queens.
The club’s 30 members have spent weeks encouraging classmates to contribute to the effort, which organizers said received a strong response from the school community.
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The initiative reflects the values of St. Francis of Assisi, including compassion, service and care for others.
Anthony Zaphiris, co-president of the Franciscan Youth Movement, said the drive is one way students can recognize the sacrifices made by members of the military.
“Veterans did a great job of showing that through their — they risked their lives, protected their country,” Anthony said. “I think it’s a good way to repay them for what they did.”
Fellow co-president Rihanna Russell said helping veterans is a way for students to put their faith into action.
“We show our love for God by helping those that are in need,” Rihanna said. “They’re veterans that do their hardest, they sacrifice their life, and they come back and they might not have what they used to have anymore. So for us, it’s like our responsibility to give back to them and to help build them back up.”
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Service is not new for the Fresh Meadows students. The group has also helped people experiencing homelessness and organized holiday parties for children with special needs.
With the veterans’ donation drive, students are expanding their outreach while hoping to make the effort an annual tradition.