By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
October 30, 2003

DENISON - It is not uncommon for students and parishioners to give food, paper products, baby clothes and other items to organizations in need. This is true for St. Rose of Lima School and Parish who provide gifts for people in their community who need them most.

Service is something that the school wants to teach the students by having them participate in projects. There are at least two projects that are done each year by St. Rose School to benefit the Denison community.

"Students obtain the satisfaction of giving to others," said Colleen Marten, a first grade teacher at St. Rose of Lima School and organizer of the different projects. "The people in our community gain needed food and clothing. The act of giving is an important lesson that St. Rose School hopes to instill in each of its students."

Temporary Aid Assistance Program (TAAP) is one program that benefits people in need. Students and parishioners collect food and paper products for TAAP. People who are in need go to the TAAP facility to pick up things to help their family. It is set up like a grocery store so that people are able to find what they need. This project is done once a year, usually during October.

Another service project that the students participate in is getting gifts for Jesus for Christmas. Instead of having a gift exchange between students, the students buy a gift for baby Jesus. The gifts are then given to the Baby Boutique where those in need of the clothes can find them. This project is done at Christmas time.

At the gift exchange that had previously been done, students enjoyed having a gift to open. Then again, they would play with the toy or other gift once or twice and then it got put away, commented Marten.

"I know for my own children, we go shopping, and they play a part in buying the baby gift," said Marten. "They know that someone who really needs it will use it. It can be clothing or a toy for the children. They have sacrificed their Christmas gift that they might get from a friend at school for someone else."

When the students bring the gifts to school, they are wrapped for baby Jesus. At the Christmas party, the students each pick a gift to open that is not the one that they brought. This is done so that everyone can see what people brought to be given to people in need. When the gifts have been opened, they are put in a manger to be taken to the Baby Boutique.

"They still get to open a gift, but it is a gift for someone else," said Marten. "I hope they know that Christmas isn't a time of getting. It is a time of giving and knowing that through what they buy, whether it is small or large, it is going to make someone else very happy."

The services that St. Rose of Lima School and Parish provide help people within their community. By doing these services, they set an example and witness for each other to follow.

"They realize that not everyone is able to enjoy the same privileges that they might have," said Marten. "You know how some families can go out and buy things, where as some families don't."

Service to others is part of being like Jesus and doing something for Jesus. He set the example while he was on Earth and people are following that example.