COMMUNITY SERVICE

For more than a decade, Espiritu Santo eighth-graders have participated in the “Best Buddies” program. Best Buddies is an international, non-profit organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
As a Catholic school, Espiritu is one of only two middle schools in central Florida that participates in a program that matches friendships between two schools. The goal is to provide young men and women with an opportunity for friendship and understanding with peers that have needs different from their own.

Pinellas Hope is a temporary emergency shelter for over 250 homeless men and women, located in Clearwater on 20 acres provided by Bishop Robert N. Lynch and the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
During their seventh grade year, Espiritu students will prepare and serve several meals for the residents at Pinellas Hope. In addition, seventh grade class will host several projects throughout the school year that benefit this local, Catholic-based charity, including “Fresh Fruit Drives” and Dress Down Days.

As part of the nationwide celebration of Catholic education in January, students at Espiritu Santo completed more than one thousand individual works of service, highlighting the value that Catholic schools bring to our local communities. Each grade level chose a service project based on specific needs in our community.

As part of Catholic Education Week, the Espiritu Athletic Department sponsors The Kids Heart Challenge to benefit the American Heart Association.

During the month of January, members of our  National Junior Honor Society team up with Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten classes to raise money for St. Jude’s Research Hospital by holding a trike-a-thon. Younger students race around our beautiful outdoor track while older students cheered them on.