Saint Patrick's Caroline Burton Helps Spread the JOY

     There is certainly no shortage of JOY in the life of Caroline Burton.   She has listened to Principal Hammond talk about the JOY principle (Jesus, Others, then Yourself) in chapel here at Saint Patrick Catholic School, and while attending services at her church, First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Caroline learned of the Joy Children’s Village Orphanage in Kenya. The orphanage provides unconditional love and quality support to HIV+/AIDS orphans and vulnerable Kenyan children in a true Christian family environment, a safe haven of medical care, education and housing, creating a true family for these abandoned children. 

     The First Presbyterian congregation was asked to help support the orphanage through monetary donations in order to afford simple pieces of playground equipment.  Caroline felt compelled to help and was sure her friends would want to join the effort, so she started the Complete Joy Kids Club.  Through her initiation and sense of service, 

     Caroline and the rest of her club were able to raise over $1,000 through bake sales and donations.  The funds were used to purchase jump ropes and deflated balls, to be taken over to the orphanage by a group of First Presbyterian church missionaries.

     After hearing that the school in which the children were attempting to learn was unfit and unsafe, Caroline began thinking of additional ways she could help.  She knew her Wolfhound community would want to help too, and after some planning and conversation with Mr. Hammond, she announced the Joy Jar campaign.  

     Caroline, along with the rest of the third grade Saint Patrick students, collected glass jars, decorated them, and placed them throughout the building to collect donations in order to send to the Joy Children’s Village.  “The rest of the third grade was really excited.  They thought it was a really fun service project and that really made me smile.”

     When asked if there was a specific financial goal in mind for the Joy Jars, Caroline said “There isn’t a specific goal, but I know it costs about $350 to educate a student for an entire year in that new school, so I’d like to get as many kids there as possible.”

     “I was feeling guilty and sorry that we had such a wonderful school and wonderful life, and I know that the money we raise will go to help some of the students go to another school; one that is sort of like their version of Saint Patrick. “ Said Caroline, “Now I don’t feel guilty, I feel excited to help!”