Soaring Compassion: Boston College Students Lift Spirits and Deliver Joy to Catholic Charities Families

Boston College students have been longtime supporters and volunteers of Catholic Charities Boston and its mission to welcome and serve those in need. But over the past few months, the B.C. community has gone above and beyond to ensure that Catholic Charities’ clients in need can experience a sense of stability, hope, and joy during the holidays. 

A group of B.C. students are regular weekend volunteers at Catholic Charities Yawkey Food Pantry in Dorchester, stocking and organizing shelves, transporting bags to cars, and greeting clients with a smile. Over the week leading up to Thanksgiving, this spirit of compassion spread across campus, with student-athletes from each B.C. athletics team coming together to pack meal bags for the Agency’s annual Thanksgiving meal distribution. 

“It is definitely rewarding to do this during the holiday season but even year-round, being able to give back, is so meaningful, especially as a college student,” said Kate McNulty, a B.C. student who volunteered at the Yawkey Center meal packing event before Thanksgiving. “I want to help out in any way I can.”   

Students have also served as positive role models and mentors to many of the youth enrolled in Catholic Charities Boston’s programs, providing experiences they may not otherwise have. After volunteering at the Teen Center this summer, the B.C. Women’s Basketball team invited Teen Center members to watch one of their games on B.C.’s campus and take pictures with the players on the court.

Additionally, when students from B.C’s Woods for Others program volunteered at the Catholic Charities Inn Family Shelter (CCI), they met a young resident with an inoperable brain tumor. The volunteers were able to gift the child and his family with free tickets to a Boston College football game, where the team acknowledged Children’s Cancer Month and brought the family out onto the field – an experience that his father said will be a lifelong memory for the family. 

Even as football season winds down, the B.C. football team remains bonded by a shared desire to support Catholic Charities clients. This week, players from the team made a visit to CCI, bringing gifts and festive treats for the children as they arrived home from school. 

“We couldn’t be more grateful for our partnership with the Boston College football team and with the entire school,” said Beth Chambers, Vice President of Basic Needs. “Their support and compassion has a direct impact on people in need, especially this time of year.” 

Learn more about how you can support Catholic Charities Boston’s clients in need this holiday season and beyond here. Part 10 of our Twelve Days of Giving Series, sharing heartwarming stories about people spreading joy and compassion within our community this holiday season.