The Quiltmaker's Gift in Austin

If you're looking for a beautiful gift to give a child this Christmas check out The quiltmaker's gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken, about a generous quiltmaker who sews the most beautiful quilts in the world, then gives them away. If you're looking for a real life story about a real person in Austin who gathered supplies and blankets fora few homeless women just in time for the cold snap last month, let me tell you about Pat Basilotto. This warm, friendly person made some acquaintances among our city's homeless while making a "street retreat" during Holy Week a few years ago. When the temperatures dropped in mid November she collected some warm things and took to the streets again to deliver them to a few needy folks she knows. Last week I talked to Pat, a substitute teacher here at St. Gabriels, about this event. She was so sweet and humble when telling the story...and I think she has a bit of the "quiltmaker" in her. Magic.

Spanish Club Reaches Guatemala

Our middle school Spanish Club recently set a goal for themselves. After meeting Rachel Meyn, a speaker from the non proft organization Safe Passage, they decided to pledge their support for a child who benefits from this special program. Many children in Guatemala help their families by living and working in the city's dump where they find recyclables to sell or trade. Through Safe Passage's work thousands of children have been able to instead go to school, graduate from high school, and get jobs to better support themselves and their families. The students in the Spanish club, headed by faculty member Tara Prien, will be selling t shirts to raise money to send each month so that a child just like them can begin to hope for a brighter future. The kids also sent Christmas cards and will be hosting a drive to collect supplies for Safe Passage in the spring. Let's support their efforts to serve a Guatemalan friend.

Brown Santa

Each year since 1981 the Travis County Sheriff's Department helps needy local families by providing meals and gifts for each person on their list. On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9, St. Gabriels' families met at the Brown Santa headquarters on Airport Blvd. to wrap presents for the organization. The atmosphere was festive as kids and parents busily selected books, puzzles, games and toys from the well-stocked supply and wrapped them up in paper and ribbons with handwritten personalized tags. The spirit of Christmas will brighten over 1200 area families' Christmas season. Friends Rachel Anders and Alex Petrucci pose as Santa's helpers.

Coats for Kids

The annual Coats for Kids drive, headed by the student council and teacher Martin Wiggins, brought in 239 coats this year. The large red bins near the front entrance to the school were separated by grade level and made for the usual festive display for the last two weeks of November. Top collectors were second, fourth and seventh grades. Mr. Wiggins says we were a little bit down from previous years' numbers of over 300 coats. There were still enough coats to more than cover student council president Luke Seeker(above) and to bring warmth to over 200 little ones this winter. Maryanne Perkins and other staff members met on Sat. Dec. 9 to distribute them on a perfectly chilly morning. As you do your spring cleaning next year, why not save those outgrown coats for next year's drive!

Thanks + Giving

During Thanksgiving week our St. Gabriels' boy scouts reached out to their communities to collect various gifts for Austin charities. Pack 990, Den 3 met on November 27th and took in a carload of books, toys and food items for St. Vincent De Paul, Blue Santa, and some local hospitals. Thanks, guys!

Thanks + Giving

During Thanksgiving week our St. Gabriels' boy scouts reached out to their communities to collect various gifts for Austin charities. Pack 990, Den 3 met on November 27th and took in a carload of books, toys and food items for St. Vincent De Paul, Blue Santa, and some local hospitals. Thanks, guys!