St. Thomas More eighth grader Kavin Iyengar talks sewing strategy with teacher Kristin Tufo.
St. Thomas More eighth grader Kavin Iyengar talks sewing strategy with teacher Kristin Tufo.
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St. Thomas More School and Parish took holiday giving to a new level this year. They partnered to deliver boxes of books to the Oregon Children’s Book Bank, The Holy Cross Library and to a partner school, St. Andrew Nativity.

Every student at Nativity School also received a personalized envelope with a $20 gift card and a Nativity School sweater – customized with hand-sewn messages of hope and inspiration at the collar.  

“It seemed especially fitting that the STM kids help The Nativity School in this way — the sweaters are a great symbol of school pride and the hand-sewn inspirational messages provided that special touch that really made the gifts meaningful,” said Amy Jefferis, principal of St. Thomas More. “Project HOPE (Helping Other People Everyday) continues to be a great gift to our school and the community. We are proud of it and of our students who work together to live the Gospel message.”

The special fit of this year’s effort was a hit with the students, too.  The Eighth Grade Leadership Team served as the project managers for the book drive and the Nativity giving. The giving levels were at an all-time high and even surpassed the goals the students had set. Under the direction of seventh grade homeroom teacher, Kristin Tufo, students even sewed the labels into the sweaters.  

“Many of the students had never sewn anything before – this was a great way to learn a life skill while helping others. It was a win-win.  And fun, too,” Tufo said.