Hurricane Sandy Relief

Sister Germaine, Ken Jennings, and Andrea Banks-Suggs would like to express their deep gratitude to the Staff, students and families of Benedictine Academy for their support and dedication through the recent hardship of Hurricane Sandy.

Benedictine Academy and the Staff placed their own needs aside to provide a place of warmth, day-time shelter to our students, along with the comfort of the familiar learning environment and teacher support.  It was beautiful to see the smiles on their faces as they sipped their cups of hot chocolate, courtesy of Luisa Rodrigues, our Business Plant Manager.      

Although Hurricane Sandy had devastated the physical environment and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes, power lines, and gas resources in the Northeast corridor, it could not touch the love and care in each of our hearts.  Our students and families promptly responded to their BA sisters, families and neighbors with packages of food, hot meals, friendship and warm blankets.  As families slowly regained their power, they began to open their homes to others who were less fortunate.  And then, the compassionate hearts of Benedictine Students and Staff went into full motion.


A food drive was organized where students and staff could drop off a bag of food in the front foyer by the statute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and simply take a bag or two to families in need.  The African American Club and the Campus Ministers will deliver the remaining bags of food to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the central source of food for shelters and families without food.

Ashley Powell and her students through the Power of We made a large contribution to the dwindling food supply, as others worked to fill individual needs and reach out into the community.  A comprehensive resource list providing key phone numbers and services was compiled and distributed to every student.  Many thanks to Karen Hatcher, Regional Jefferson Awards Director, for assisting in this critical task.

The Elizabeth Coalition for the Homeless, similar to shelters all over the tri-state area, has had an overwhelming influx of requests for winter clothing and blankets for their displaced guests.  We have heard their cry and are responding readily with all that we can spare and share.  Our hearts and prayers are with all the victims and families affected by Hurricane Sandy, as well as the emergency power,  municipalities people, and volunteers who are working tirelessly around the clock.

One of our students said,  "When I helped the children at the Homeless Shelter and saw the smile on their faces, it made me so happy.  I really received much more than I gave."

Delivering Happiness by helping others is the Good News of Benedictine Academy!