By: Sean Chapter
Mount St. Michael Academy '21
April is National Volunteer Month, and we want to recognize the incredible efforts of our mentors and corporate partners, as well as our students who dedicate time to support their communities. Here's a reflection from Sean Chapter, a senior at Mount St. Michael Academy...
I have had the amazing opportunity to volunteer throughout my four years of high school at Mount St. Michael Academy. Community is very important to me. Aside from volunteering for the NYPD Law Enforcement Explorer's program with the MTA, I have participated as a logistics volunteer for many cause walks and parades, such at AVON 39's "The Walk To End Breast Cancer," The American Cancer Society's "Making Strides," and NYC Pride.
I also worked with my aunt to launch a mask-creation effort during COVID-19. We connected the Urban Resource Institute with IATSE 76, the union representing theatrical costumers, to supply masks for the city's most vulnerable: homeless and domestic violence survivors living in shelters across the tristate area. It was such a small idea at the time, but a powerful one, as we were unwilling to sit by and wait until mask guidelines were figured out while the city's most vulnerable sat in silence. Within 24 hours, we sourced materials across three counties and supplied drop-baskets for the city's craft-makers. This small but powerful gesture created a movement, now known as the Broadway Relief Project, and it was such a pleasure to be part of something small that created a big impact. I thank my aunt most for her initial push and early contributions; if it were not for her, none of this would have happened.
