Cardinal Bernardin Catholic School Hosts Clothing Drive

Service to others is one of the three cornerstones at Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School (Orland Hills). CJB prides itself on living out our school’s mission of faith, service, and academic excellence. Recently, Ms. Adrian Kurzweil, Student Council Moderator and sixth grade teacher, saw a news clip that featured the charity, All God’s People. When she realized the charity was located in Orland Park, she knew that CJB staff and students had the perfect opportunity to help serve those in need locally.

Ms. Kurzweil states, “I have a strong belief that CJB’s Student Council mission should be to continually give back to others in our community. When I saw all the amazing things that All God’s People stands for, holding this clothing drive during Holy Week in Lent seemed like the perfect opportunity to help. Seeing how much bringing one small item in can make such a huge impact is incredible to see.”

All God’s People is an organization that ministers to the needs of homeless people in the Chicago area. On the second Saturday of the month, they set up a distribution center where they hand out clothing, blankets, toiletries, and food. All God’s People serves 500 or more people who wait patiently in line to receive items that meet their basic needs. CJB students met the needs of All God’s People by hosting this clothing drive. The students were allowed to be out of uniform for a day, as long as they brought in at least one item of clothing to donate. The overwhelmingly generous amounts of donated clothing in just one day not only exceeded expectations, but also shows the true spirit of CJB students, staff, and families.

Conner Stack, who is an 8th grader and also a Student Council Senior Ambassador states, “Doing the clothing drive was the perfect way to celebrate Holy Week, and it showed me the importance of living my life like Jesus. The large collection of clothes, which will help families in need, has reminded me how blessed I am, and it also makes me appreciate my Catholic education even more.”

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School, twice-recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2008 and 2018), is now accepting registrations for the 2021-22 school year. CJB is celebrating its 20th year and is committed to providing a top-rated academic experience as well as a safe learning environment centered in faith. CJB is a regional school sponsored by four parishes (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Orland Hills, St. Francis of Assisi - Orland Park, St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr - Tinley Park, and St. Julie Billiart - Tinley Park.) CJB welcomes students in 3-year old PreK through 8th grade with a focus on developing each student’s spiritual, intellectual, emotional, creative, physical, and social needs. For more information, or to sign up for a private tour, visit cjbschool.org or contact Cindy Devlin at 708-403-6525 x. 127.