“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

There was an incredible witness of this statement over the course of the two-week summer religious education program this August at the Church of the Holy Trinity.  Spearheaded by Jessica Herrman, the 5^th grade catechist, the youth of the parish set forth a goal to raise money for the church’s recent building project to expand the parking lot and church. 

Each class was given a mason jar in which they were asked to bring in their spare change.  In the style of a penny war, the class with the most money at the end of the 2 weeks would get a donut party.  To sweeten the deal, for every $25.00 brought in, a student’s name would be drawn out of a hat to throw a pie at a catechist’s face.  If an individual person brought in $15.00 they were guaranteed a pie to throw.

Uncertain of how successful the fundraiser would be, Mrs. Herrman hoped to raise $500.00.  As the students neared this total, and then surpassed it, the excitement in the building was infectious.  The kids, all wanting to throw a pie, continued to bring in more and more money.

One morning, Cameron Smith was approached by a father of 3 boys in the program.  This father asked, “What did you do to my kid in First Commuion? Last night he wanted to empty his whole piggy bank, so that he could hit you with a pie.”  This story was not uncommon.  As the total climbed, the kids began taunting all those who had volunteered to be hit with pies in the hallways, making their claims on who their victims would be. 

By Thursday, August 10^th, the children of the program had raised a whopping $1500.00.  Fr. Tom had offered that if the children raised $500.00 he would let one of them pie him in the face - he got hit 3 times.  The pie throwing started with Fr. Tom and then quickly devolved into complete chaos.  With pies flying and the sound of children giggling with delight, it was clear the effort was a success. 

When the project began we hoped to raise $500.00.  We were guilty of underestimating the power and faith of our children.  They proved that their love and charity, mixed with desire to pie their teachers in the face, could do great things.  Not only did they raise $1500.00 but they inspired others.  When one of the adults of the parish heard about what the children had done she went home, got her own bucket of change and brought it in for building effort.

This summer, we were reminded that just because someone is young, does not mean they cannot do great things for the church.