Jesuit’s 2011 Thanksgiving Drive: A Timeless Tradition for Blue Jays
Blue Jays Focus on Service to More than 400 Families in Our Community
Seniors Travis Smith and Ben Sketchler load the groceries for the Thanksgiving Baskets in the car. This year students, alumni, and faculty will provide more than 400 Thanksgiving Meals to families in the metro area.
About the Thanksgiving Drive:
Living their motto of “Men For Others,” students at Jesuit High School distribute Thanksgiving food boxes to approximately 400 needy families throughout New Orleans.
The day usually begins for students before 6 a.m. at Robért Fresh Market. Students and faculty meet there to purchase the perishable goods needed to complete the baskets already begun with food collected over the last month. Students then return to campus and work with their homeroom classmates to prepare the baskets for delivery.
Later the school community gathers in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for a Thanksgiving prayer service. Afterwards, students, parents, and teachers deliver the baskets to the homes of those who would not otherwise enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
The annual Thanksgiving Drive has been conducted by the students of Jesuit since the 1930s, and possibly earlier. It is organized and executed by the students under the guidance of Helen Swan, director of the school's Service Projects Program.
Senior Jason Britsch Reflects on Reasons Why the Thanksgiving Drive Is Important
Alumnus Eric Leefe ’03, Who Teaches Math at Jesuit, Focuses on the Service of Giving and Being Men for Others
At Thanksgiving Day Mass, Jesuit Families Reflect on Hope and Gratitude
Listen: In His Own Words...
In His Thanksgiving Day Mass Homily, Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. Asks Jesuit Families to Complete This Sentence: “I am grateful for...” (Total Time Audio 6:50)
Living their motto of "Men For Others," students at Jesuit High School distribute Thanksgiving food boxes to approximately 400 needy families throughout New Orleans.
The day usually begins for students at 6 a.m. at Robérts Fresh Market. Students and faculty meet there to purchase the perishable goods needed to complete the baskets already begun with food collected over the last month. Students then return to campus and work with their homeroom classmates to prepare the baskets for delivery.
Later the school community gathers in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for a Thanksgiving prayer service. Afterwards, students, parents, and teachers deliver the baskets to the homes of those who would not otherwise enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
The annual Thanksgiving Drive has been conducted by the students of Jesuit since the 1930s, and possibly earlier. It is organized and executed by the students under the guidance of Helen Swan, director of the school's Service Projects Program.
