Bishop Kenny High School Responds to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
September 22, 2017 • Diocese of St. Augustine

Before anyone ever heard of Irma there was Harvey. In response to the overwhelming needs of the residents of Houston the Bishop Kenny community initiated a school-wide collection for the benefit of Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston.

Members of the administration, faculty, staff, and student body were asked to contribute $5 to Hurricane Harvey relief. The collection, which was interrupted by the cancellation of school due to Hurricane Irma, was matched dollar-for-dollar by the school. A check in the amount of $23,050 was presented to Superintendent of Catholic Schools Deacon Scott Conway at BK’s homecoming Pep Rally on Friday, Sept. 22. The money will be added to a diocesan-wide collection and sent to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.

In the spirit of charity begins at home, the BK Chapter of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul launched a campaign to collect items to be included in personal hygiene kits that will be distributed to people affected by Hurricane Irma. Students will collect supplies for the project through Sept. 29. St. Vincent de Paul sponsor Mrs. Noreen Thurson said, “A minimum of 250 kits will be assembled but, if the past generosity of our students and their families is a predictor of success, we will more than likely be able to double that estimate.” The kits will be sent to Catholic Charities in Jacksonville along with a check in the amount of $4,000 – a donation from the school. Bishop Kenny High School has a long tradition of support for the ongoing work of Catholic Charities in our community.

Photo: (L-R) Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Deacon Scott Conway, accepts a check from BK students Sydney Moran ‘18 and Madeline Ward ‘18 and Principal Todd Orlando.