Catholic schools thrive with volunteers

Allentown, Pa., Jan 26, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Behind every successful Catholic school is a team of hard-working volunteers, and they’re being recognized this week during the 30th annual Catholic Schools Week, which began Sunday.

There are about 8,000 Catholic schools in the United States and none of them could survive without the help of dedicated volunteers, who perform jobs that the school would have to pay for otherwise, Ann Sciannella of the National Catholic Education Association told The Morning Call.

Volunteers are ''the lifeblood'' of Catholic education, Philip J. Fromuth told the publication. Fromuth is the secretary for education for the Allentown Diocese, which has nine high schools and 52 elementary schools.

Joe Kramer, Notre Dame principal, told The Morning Call that his school depends on volunteers to work as coaches, substitutes, library aides and cafeteria helpers. They even helped redo the girls' softball field last summer.

Cindy Adams has volunteered at Bethlehem Catholic High School for 20 years. She is one of 30 volunteers, who help organize the annual auction, which raises $50,000 for the school each April.

''I believe in Catholic education,'' said Adams, who continues to volunteer even though her children graduated in 1989. ''It's a wonderful cause. You feel so appreciated, and they have such a need.''