Coming Together for a Grateful Cause

By Sarah Zancanella

Operation Gratitude is a nationwide organization with a focus on giving back to the brave men and women who serve our country. From the military, to fire departments and police forces, Operation Gratitude gives people the opportunity to express their thankfulness through homemade projects. Participants can make lanyards, write cards, make blankets, pillowcases, and more to support our military and first responder community.

St. Timothy Catholic School in San Mateo was founded in 1961 and has educated young minds for generations. I myself attended St. Timothy for nine years and graduated in 2021. Upon hearing this, most people think that this meant I was forced into a strict, cookie-cutter mold where everyone had to be exactly the same. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I spent every day around a mosaic of individuality. Different hair textures, different skin tones, different nationalities, and some people weren’t even Catholic. Each and every person was embraced. At St. Tim’s, we were taught to live by and embody the values of L.I.G.H.T; Loving Christian, Innovative Learner, Giving Citizen, Humble Student, and Thoughtful Communicator.

This school year, parent volunteers organized an Operation Gratitude service project called Project Pillowcase. This project truly demonstrated what it means to be giving citizens. The goal was to have each student, and some staff members, design a blank pillowcase with drawings and messages of support for our troops. Over the span of two weeks, the school community was able to come together to decorate 162 pillowcases, each one personal and full of gratitude. In the true spirit of the St. Tim’s community, the older students helped the younger kids complete their pillowcases by helping them mindfully create their designs. The pillowcases will be sent to Operation Gratitude and distributed into smaller care packages before they are sent off to troops overseas.

My time at St. Timothy taught me to live with an open mind and to give back whenever I could. I am so grateful to have been a part of such a caring, diverse community, and proud to see their mission of L.I.G.H.T. still embodies what it means to be a part of St. Timothy Catholic School.

Sarah Zancanella is a 2021 graduate of St. Timothy Catholic School in San Mateo.