//GIVING WHILE IN QUARANTINE

GIVING WHILE IN QUARANTINE

In the over 6 weeks that we’ve been “locked down” (which is shocking to realize that it’s been that long) there’s been unprecedented suffering.  People who are sick, who’ve lost loved ones, who’ve been unable to even gather to grieve and mourn together… coupled with seeing and hearing how many people are suffering with unemployment, students worried about making tuition payments, and just the fiscal crisis that has been going on as a result of all these shut downs… I had decided to cancel our Summer 2020 Appeal.  We normally send out a letter to a few hundred families of students, alumni, friends and benefactors to give an update from the year and ask for people’s support.  Knowing that this whole pandemic has devastated people on all sorts of levels, but not knowing who or what all of those families, those names on all of those labels are going through, it felt wrong to send out an appeal.   In recent days its been announced that, building on the Christmas season’s very successful #GivingTuesday effort, that they are going to have a second one this year designating May 5th as #GivingTuesday a response to the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID19.

We here at the St. John Henry Newman Catholic Center at Montclair State University – the Home of Red Hawk Catholic have been overwhelmed by people’s responses to all of our online outreaches – whether our daily Masses, Eucharistic Holy Hours or our Quarantined Catholic – which was the brainchild of our FOCUS missionaries as a way to continue our weekly “Newman Nights” in a virtual way.  We thought for those who wanted to mark this very bizarre period of history and a way that we were able to unite virtually all across the country, that maybe we should offer a T-shirt… that we could also use as a fundraiser.  This way there’s no pressure to purchase or give, particularly if this finds you in a difficult position financially.  But if you’re able and would like to, it would be a fun way for us to raise some funds, as well as support a local business that is owned and operated by one of our alumni.

We’re asking for $25 per shirt which covers shipping, handling, etc. and they will be shipped out by early June.  The T-shirt fundraiser is on now through SUNDAY MAY 10th – which we’ll close orders.  We’re only purchasing what is pre-ordered, so they will not be available to purchase after.  (For MSU students, if $25 is too steep, let us know and we can perhaps arrange for a pick up on campus when those restrictions are lifted)

To order a shirt, please go to our ORDER FORM HERE – we’re accepting payments/additional donations on our website www.REDHAWKCATHOLIC.com or if you wish to send a check, the information is listed on the order form.  Thanks again for your consideration and all of your support!