Center for Catholic Education at UD

By Pono Riddle

For the past two years during the Liturgical season of Lent, University of Dayton ECHO Counselors, Coleen Henderson (St. Albert the Great Catholic School) and Terese Switalski (Mother Maria Anna Brunner Catholic School), along with their University of Dayton ECHO Peacemakers have participated in a Lenten Service Project called “The Kindness Challenge.” Both schools choose a non-profit organizations in which to raise funds, as well as battle for unspoken bragging rights. The winning Peacemaker group visits the other school for a campus tour and a pizza party, and the host school wears the winning group’s school colors. 

This year St. Albert campaigned for The Autism Society of Dayton in honor of the Autism Program at the school. Mother Brunner campaigned for the Dayton Children’s Hospital Foundation­­––Hematology/Oncology Fund and Treatment Away Fund in honor of a student with cancer. With their counselor’s help, the prestigious Peacemakers of each school kept track of all monies collected, as well as held different fundraising events throughout the campaign period. St. Albert had several bake sales and out-of-uniform day sales to raise money, while Mother Brunner had a “push-up-a-thon” and coin collection drive. Mother Brunner won the challenge for the second year in a row. They raised $1,746.38 and St. Albert raised $1,478.95 for a combined total of $3,225.33.

As mentioned earlier, this “challenge” may be to see who can raise the most money for their selected non-profit organization; however, the ever-lasting impact remains on the school community and on the Peacemakers. The Peacemakers learn responsibility and accountability, as well as to advocate to bring awareness and continued support for their respective non-profit organizations. This “challenge” is also a reminder of what great can come when “teamwork makes the dreamwork.”