By Maureen Cromer
mcromer@CatholicReview.org
Twitter: @CatholicReview
GAMBRILLS – More than 800 students, faculty, parents and volunteers filled the gymnasium of School of the Incarnation Dec. 17 for its 10th year of participation with Giving Back, Linda’s Legacy.
The volunteer-run non-profit organization is dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. It was founded 12 years ago by Linda Greenberg, a resident of Anne Arundel County who died in October. The organization she loved so much now bears her name.
Every year at Christmastime, Giving Back, Linda’s Legacy stuffs clothing and essential items into backpacks, all of the items being donated. The backpacks are then given to the homeless in Baltimore City. Over the past decade, local schools, churches and businesses have provided more than 2,400 backpacks annually. School of the Incarnation in Gambrills has proven to be a dominant partner with Giving Back, Linda’s Legacy.
Before Incarnation students began to load backpacks with items Dec. 17, Steve Anstett, former Director of Giving Back, Linda’s Legacy, told them, “Out of all of the schools who participate in this program around the county, School of the Incarnation provides more backpacks than all of the other schools combined!”
Jeanette Middleton-Sudano, director of Giving Back, Linda’s Legacy, described the day as a way to honor the school, the kids, the teachers and all those who give so much to the organization every year.
“It’s a beautiful way to bring Christ to others during the Advent season,” said Middleton-Sudano, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park.
Provided in each backpack is a hooded sweatshirt, a hat, a pair of gloves, socks, thermal undergarments and a handmade Christmas card. This year, in honor of Greenberg, a prayer card was also included in each backpack.
Emma Nolte, a fourth-grader at School of the Incarnation, made the drawing of footprints and adorned it with Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Enough copies were made to fill all the backpacks.
When asked what her favorite part about volunteering with Giving Back, Linda’s Legacy was, Nolte said, “When I pack the backpack, I know I’m doing it for someone who is really in need.”
More than 800 backpacks were to be stuffed at School of the Incarnation. On Christmas Eve, many families and volunteers from the school will return to help Giving Back, Linda’s Legacy distribute the backpacks to more than 20 different homeless shelters around Baltimore.
As the students began to stuff their backpacks, Steve Anstett said, “You guys are impacting the world.”
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