Rams Family Gives Warmth and Hope to Greater Community

What better way to live into our Mission of embracing all the world’s people with compassion than by supporting those in need this season! Students across campus have given hope, joy and warmth to others in a few special ways this winter.

Derek D. Martin Food Drive

The annual Derek. D Martin Food Drive was a tremendous success once again! Ninth and tenth graders brought in cereal, while eleventh and twelfth graders donated mac ‘n’ cheese and canned goods. Members of the St. Louis Fire Department Rescue Squad 1 visited MICDS and accepted donations. Derek Martin was a firefighter for the St. Louis Fire Department. His engine house ran an annual food collection before the winter holidays to feed needy families in their community. After Mr. Martin died in the line of duty, the food drive was renamed in his honor. Mr. Martin’s daughter, Kayla ’17, introduced the food drive to MICDS, and this is our 6th year participating.

Captain Wayman Brown from Engine House 6 addressed the students at an Upper School assembly. He said, “Derek made the ultimate sacrifice to save another’s life, and we’re taking up the torch and continuing his legacy. Your donations may seem like a small sacrifice, but they make a difference.” The program aims to assemble baskets that can feed a family of four for a week. “We’re helping one family at a time, one day at a time and leaving the world a better place,” Captain Brown said.

Kayla Martin, sporting a CODASCO sweatshirt, thanked the MICDS community for participating. “I can’t believe it’s still happening,” she said. “And I can come back every year for this!” She spoke about how her father was on the MICDS campus only once, back in 2002 when he brought Kayla’s brother for an admission test. “He was here only once,” she said, “and he has a legacy that continues.”

MICDS students are also sorting donations on Saturday, December 21 at the headquarters of Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality (F.I.R.E.).

MICDS Lends a Helping Hand

Several weeks ago, trees appeared in all three schools at MICDS, bedecked with ornaments that carried the wishes of children. Our students selected ornaments, took them home and brought them back attached to toys that matched the descriptions. Hallways were jammed with toys, showing an outpouring of support for fellow children.

Helping Hands is an annual MICDS school-wide holiday toy drive that benefits FamilyForward, an organization that delivers comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster and adoptive families in the St. Louis community.

The families served often must choose between buying food, paying bills and giving holiday gifts to their children. Through Helping Hands, MICDS families donate new toys, games and books for children ages newborn through young adult. With these donated gifts, FamilyForward transforms their offices into a “toy store wonderland” where a parent, foster parent or social worker can “shop for an angel” and select that perfect holiday gift for their child.  Each year, FamilyForward supplies gifts to more than 800 children, brightening their holidays.

Mrs. Erin Hamill, Director of Upper School Community Service, said, “MICDS is fortunate to have such generous, thoughtful and compassionate families. Thank you for your willingness to help others in our area give their children something special for the holidays!”

FCA Serves Meal at Ronald McDonald House

In early November, the officers of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club decided they wanted to cook a meal at the Ronald McDonald House. After securing a date, they organized a bake sale to raise the money to buy the food for the meal. Then, on December 13, the club took the food and cooked dinner at the Ronald McDonald House. Club moderator Mr. Brian Coco reported that the seven FCA students did a vast majority of the work. Thanks, FCA, for helping families staying at the Ronald McDonald House!