Saint Mary Magdalen School
2430 North Providence Road
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-565-1822 Fax: 610-627-9670
PRESS RELEASE
St. Mary’s Students Use Their Nickels in a Display of
Christmas Spirit and Charity
Media, PA. On Wednesday, December 1, 2010, the Saint Mary Magdalen School student body and
faculty were decked out in red and green, displaying their Christmas spirit, as they went shopping for
presents at Santa’s Secret Shoppe. Run by “Santa’s elves” and parent volunteers, the Secret Santa
Shoppe is an annual tradition at St. Mary Magdalen School. Students make up their “nice list” of
loved ones for whom they would like to purchase gifts, and armed with a shopping basket and their
spending money, they eagerly and excitedly make their way throughout Santa’s Shoppe, in search of
the perfect gift for mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, and the family pet. Scarves, coffee mugs, pens,
jewelry, mini tool sets, stuffed animals, games, and picture frames are just some of the beautiful
presents that loved ones of St. Mary’s students will find wrapped beneath the Christmas tree.
More meaningful though, the red and green Christmas shirts, ties, socks and hair ribbons worn by
students represented a commitment to the Nickels for Neighbors campaign, and was a visible reminder
of the needs of our poor neighbors in surrounding communities. Spearheaded by the sixth grade
Challenge Class, each student donated at least fifty cents to the campaign, which supports the poor,
disadvantaged and disabled in the students’ local community, in return for donning Christmas-themed
clothes. Serving those in need is an integral part of the student’s educational experience, not only
during the Advent season, but also throughout the entire school year. Giving of their time, talent and
money, students at St. Mary’s develop a life-long commitment to service and have the opportunity to
live out their Catholic values.
Photo 1: Having donated money to the Nickels for Neighbors campaign to dress like Santa’s elves, St.
Mary’s sixth graders, (l-r) Sheila Newby, Maggie Nolen, Adrienne Rufus, Cammy Toddy, Fiona
Casey, and Allie Scannapieco have baskets and money in hand, ready to shop for their moms, dads,
and siblings at Santa’s Secret Shoppe.
Photo 2: It’s an all girls shopping spree for St. Mary Magdalen Kindergarteners, (l-r) Molly Evert,
Kathleen Kelly, Jayden Wintrode, Katie Carrea, and Maura McGeary, at Santa’s Secret Shoppe, as
they search for the perfect gift for the “nice ones” on their Christmas list!
Photo 3: Kindergarteners Matthew Buckley and Aidan Fowler excitedly help each other pick out
presents for their family members at Santa’s Secret Shoppe.
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