Servant leadership is at the heart of the Jesuit mission to be men for others, and Blue Jays frequently give themselves freely in service to their neighbors. One of the most formative weeks of the year arrives each November, when students learn firsthand what it means to serve through the annual Thanksgiving Drive. Thanks in part to Project 83—an initiative by the Class of 1983 that helps fund student led service projects—that tradition continues to flourish.

This spring, Project 83 broadened its reach by supporting an Easter basket delivery project organized by Service Director Scott Delatte ’06. He partnered with homerooms led by Michael Prados ’83 and Matthew Firmin ’10 to pack, load, and deliver baskets during the lunch hour. Roughly 50 Pre-freshmen carried the baskets to families in need across the neighborhood, offering both essentials and seasonal treats.

By echoing the lessons of the Thanksgiving Drive during the Easter season, Jesuit reinforces that service is more than a single event. Pre-freshmen revisited families they’d assisted at Thanksgiving, deepening relationships and establishing a lasting habit of outreach. In doing so, they experienced how ongoing commitment transforms simple acts of charity into genuine community building.

This project enriches Jesuit’s service programming by creating another opportunity for students to practice servant leadership and by illustrating the enduring impact of alumni engagement. As Blue Jays reflect of their Easter service, they carry forward a living tradition of being men for others.