Notre Dame Academy in Toledo Ohio is always quick to lend a helping hand to those in need. From service projects to retreats to Theology classes, our mission is help and to education others.Notre Dame Academy in Toledo Ohio is always quick to lend a helping hand to those in need. From service projects to retreats to Theology classes, our mission is help and to education others.
Every Christmas a group of NDA students, accompanied by parents and Notre Dame staff, make the trip down to Harlem, Kentucky for their annual Christmas party. About a month before the trip, the entire NDA student body collects gifts for all age groups, ranging from infants to adult women and men. They collect clothing, toys, accessories, and our Knitting Club has been knitting scarves for the people of Harlem, and while at the party, the presents are distributed.
Each year NDA hosts the "Homeless Experience" for its students. All who show are expected to bring with them a cardboard box and a blanket. The students then proceed to sleep outside in nothing but their box and blanket. This event is meant to spread awareness to those who are fortunate enough to sleep with a roof over their heads and to make all those realize just how lucky they are.
At Notre Dame Academy, collections are always going on. Recently NDA has been collecting for the organization "Hannah's Socks". It is a local foundation that was started by a young girl named Hannah who wanted to make sure all people had socks to keep their feet warm during the winter. Every year there is a new collection for those in need.
Every sophomore must attend their sophomore retreat. While on the retreat, the class breaks up into different groups and then goes out into the community to perform some kind of service. Members of the sophomore class either travel to a food bank where they put together boxes for those who cannot leave their homes to shop, help with children at a local day care, or assist the elderly and play a few board games with them at a nursing home.
Each student at NDA is required to complete 50 service hours by the end of their junior year. Since Notre Dame prides itself in creating women of vision, they believe firmly in giving back to the community. All who wish to graduate complete their 50 hours and many go above and beyond, often discovering an organization they connect with and wish to willingly help there.