WAVERLY (SNR) – Among those marking “Giving Tuesday” Dec. 3 were the students and staff of Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children in Waverly.
Villa Marie is a boarding and day school for children ages 6-18. The school provides personalized education practices integrated with the Catholic Faith to develop the God-given talents and strengths of children with special educational needs. It was founded by Msgr. James D. Dawson 56 years ago and is under the care of the Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln.
On Giving Tuesday, a movement that seeks to encourage charitable giving the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Villa Marie’s Executive Director of Development and Advancement Jenny Allamby decided it was time to switch the focus from donors giving to the school, to the kids giving back to the community.
“Our students receive so much from so many generous people,” she said. “I think it is important for the students to learn that giving of your time, talents and a smile can change the outcome of someone’s day. It doesn’t have to be monetary action to be a blessing and to make a difference.”
The Villa Marie students met with the residents of the Waverly Care Center and brought them some Girl Scout Cookies. They paired up and spent quality time reading, visiting, and eating cookies.
“Those we visit probably can’t get out that often and might not have many people come to visit them,” said Sister Jeanette Rerucha, principal of Villa Marie. “Our young people can learn so much from the wisdom of their elders and our elders often love to visit with young people.”
She added that the event was a great opportunity for the students to practice their reading skills, or listen to the residents read to them.
“We hope that bonds will develop between the residents and our students and that this is the beginning of a great relationship with the Waverly Care Center,” Allamby said. “We’d love to be able to visit them on a regular basis.”
Giving Tuesday was not the first experience of “giving back” for Villa Marie. Many times during the year, the students give back to those who give so much to them. Allamby said the annual “Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner” for volunteers and special benefactors is one of their most unique ways.
For the dinner, the meal items are both selected and prepared by the students. Students bring ingredients to school for their favorite foods, and the teachers assist them in preparing the food items the day before or the morning of the feast.
Allamby said the feast was extraordinary this year, with foods like pigs in a blanket, goulash, pizza, chicken nuggets, Oreo fluff, barbecue meatballs, hash brown casserole, meatball sandwiches, and lots of sweets.
Matt Jilek, volunteer basketball coach, said he and fellow coach Greg Gibney really like the eclectic mix of the children’s favorite dishes.
“We especially love sharing Thanksgiving with all the people involved with Villa Marie.” he said. “We are grateful for the many blessings that surround us here.”
Villa Marie has two upcoming events that people may attend: the annual Christmas play Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at St. John the Apostle School, 76th and Vine streets in Lincoln, and the annual “Villa Marie Dance” Jan. 24, 2020 at the Rococo Theatre, 13th and P streets in Lincoln. For more information, visit www.villamarieschool.com.
