St. Mary, Willmar youth reaching out at “Mary’s Place”

submitted by Russ Lammers

This past August, the youth council of the Church of St. Mary in Willmar, MN sent eleven 10th through 12th graders to spend a day with children at “Mary’s Place,” a housing complex of “Sharing and Caring Hands” in Minneapolis.

Sharing and Caring Hands is a compassionate response to the needs of the poor. It is an extension of the community to the desperate needs of the poor and exists as a vehicle for volunteers to commit their time and resources towards making a difference in the lives of others.

Led by their 12th-grade peer, Shayla Swartz, these high school youth spent the day sharing kindness and friendship with children as they played games and participated in other activities together.