Wrapping paper, bows, and tape cover the floor of the Terry Center. Presents are packed into boxes, ready to be delivered to the less privileged families that can’t afford to buy gifts for Christmas.
On Sunday, December 13th, Jesuit hosted its annual Adopt-a-Family service event as hundreds of Jesuit families and students gathered in the Terry Center to wrap presents for those in need. Months before the actual event, numerous Jesuit families kindly offered to sponsor an impoverished family, buying their presents so that they could enjoy the Christmas season and not have to worry about spending money on gifts.
The day began with a Mass in Walsh Gym, students celebrating the upcoming birth of Jesus Christ alongside their parents and siblings. Thomas Whitaker ‘17 thought that “The Mass was the perfect way to start off the day. It got me in a giving mood, reminding me that I should use both my time and talents to help others less fortunate than myself.”
After the mass, families rushed to the Terry Center in the hopes of getting an early start on their gift wrapping. Excited to spread Christmas cheer, each family carefully wrapped presents as they listened to Christmas music in the background. His third time participating in Adopt-a-Family, Will Curran ’17 commented, “Seeing the Jesuit community gather together to support such a great cause, bringing Christmas to so many families, demonstrates the commitment to serve beyond oneself that Jesuit instills in its students.”
After all the gifts were wrapped, members of the Jesuit football team loaded the bags of presents into cars. These cars then drove the gifts to the various agencies that personally delivered the gifts to the families in need. Thomas Whitaker loved taking part in the event, noting that “The feeling you get when you give a gift to someone is way better than receiving one yourself.” Ryan Clements ’17 echoed Whitaker’s opinion, saying, “I wish I could see the pure joy on the kids faces when they wake up Christmas morning and see their gifts under the tree.”
If you didn’t participate in Adopt-a-Family this year, make sure to sign up next year as you can make a big difference in a family’s Christmas, spreading joy and happiness while being a man for others!
