Students at Monsignor Slade Catholic School, located in Glen Burnie, organized a toy drive to benefit children living in a migrant farming community located in Apopka, Florida. The students collected 38 boxes of toys weighing almost 800 pounds, which were then transported by Southwest Airlines to Florida.
Monsignor Slade has supported “The Christmas Store” project, developed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, for over 25 years. The project helps the farm workers provide Christmas gifts for their children by offering the donated toys at a nominal price. “Our efforts in Apopka are greatly appreciated, and are truly making a difference in that community. We are so blessed to have a vibrant and supportive community at Slade,” said Gregory E. Jones, Principal.
Migrant farm workers are paid minimum wage, most do not have health insurance and are exposed to pesticides regularly and are plagued with injuries in the field. Last year, “The Christmas Store” project supported 700 families with over 2,800 children. All proceeds from the sale of the toys are returned to the farm worker community to fund education programs including literacy and pesticide training.
The Apopka residents will shop at “The Christmas Store” the weekend of December 17th, just in time for Christmas.
Monsignor Slade serves students in K-8th grade through a comprehensive education in a Catholic environment. The school was recognized as a “Top School” for the state of Maryland in the 2009 Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Talent Search. To learn more about the school, call 410-766-7130 or visit the website at https://www.msladeschool.com.