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Community Service

Cadets: it is our goal to make you aware of the needs of others and of our shared responsibility to help those in need. 

At St. Joes, you will begin to develop a life-long love of serving those in need and giving generously of your time and unique gifts. Be sure to take our motto of “Privilege and Responsibility” very seriously as we strive to build a culture of service where helping those in need is more of a joy than a requirement.

Oh my God, teach me to be generous, teach me to serve you as I should, to give without counting the cost, to fight without fear of being wounded, to work without seeking rest, to labor without expecting any reward, but the knowledge that I am doing your most holy will.

Service Hours Requirement & Recognition

  • 25 hours are required each year for advancement to the next grade level and graduation.
  • At the end of the school year, additional recognition will be given in the form of the Principal’s Service Award (100+ hours) and the President’s Service Award (200+ hours).

Service Opportunities

  • Law Enforcement Torch Run - Friday, June 5th, 2026

    • The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics. The three-day Torch Run will take place on from June 3-5 leading up to the Special Olympics Summer Games.

    • While the registration for SJ runners has closed, students may be allowed to sign up to cheer on their teammates as they arrive at the school. See Mr. Kingsbury if you'd like to be part of the "welcoming committee"!
       

  • Saturday, June 6th, 2026 - UConn Health Half Marathon

    • The Tommy Fund is looking for volunteers to partner with them during the marathon. 

    • Contact director@tommyfund.org to sign up as a “Team Tommy Fund” volunteer June 6 at the UConn Health Half. 

    • View the flyer on Instagram.

  • St. Thomas Aquinas, Fairfield Vacation Bible School:

    • June 22nd - June 26th 2026 

    • 8:30am - 1:00pm (student programming at 9:00am)

    • Vacation Bible School will be a half-day program held on St. Thomas Aquinas parish/school grounds.

    • Examples of volunteers positions they are hoping to fill: Skit Participation; Music Coordination; Craft Assistant; Game Assistant.

    • If you're interested, reach out to epleszko@stthomasfairfield.org.

  • Summer Service at St. Joes

    • June 29, 2026 from 9:30am-12pm 

    • Faith in Action: Living the Gospel

    • 9:30am: Mass with Father Galbert in commemoration of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

    • 10:30 am: Service project (details to follow)

    • 12:00 pm: Day concludes

    • Click here to register via the MobileServe app.

  • Stamps for the Wounded
    • Students are invited to participate in an ongoing service project supporting U.S. veterans through Stamps for the Wounded.

    • What students will do: Collect used postage stamps from family, friends, neighbors, and businesses -

    • Set aside stamps properly for donation

    • Deliver collected stamps to the chapter coordinator or contact her for drop-off instructions

    • What to collect (ACCEPTABLE): Used postage stamps (U.S. or foreign) clipped with about ¼ inch of paper around the stamp - Envelopes with interesting stamps or cancellations (send whole if special) - Postcards or postal stationery (do not clip) - Unused U.S. postage stamps with gum intact

    • What NOT to collect: Torn, moldy, stained, or heavily damaged stamps - Stamps marked with pen or marker - Metered or printed postage (e.g., “Postage Paid,” “Bulk Rate”) - Stickers, labels, or non-postage items - Stamps that have been soaked, steamed, or removed from paper - No current flag stamps

    • Reach out to Barbara Wells for more information.
       

  • Multiple Times/Dates - Student Aides

    • St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull is looking for student volunteers to serve as aides in Religious Education classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sundays.

    • Tuesdays and Wednesdays would be from 4:30pm-5:00pm and Sundays would be from 10:15am-11:15am. 

    • Interested students can reach out to Ms. DeVito, Director of Religious Education at RelEd@stcatherinetrumbull.com
       

  • Multiple Times/Dates - Person-to-Person

    • Help families stay warm this winter. Volunteers will assist with collecting, sorting, and organizing donated coats, as well as welcoming and guiding community members. It’s a fun way to give back, earn service hours, and make a direct impact in your community. No experience needed.

      • Norwalk Grab 'n Go Shopper Saturday | Shift time: 8:45am-12pm | 76 South Main Street

      • Stamford Warehouse Loader | Shift time: 9:00am-10:30am | 425 Fairfield Ave, Building 1, Suite 111

      • Stamford 2nd Mobile Food Pantry | Shift time: Tuesdays, 2-4pm, Wednesdays: 2:30-4:30pm, 5-7pm, Thursdays:  3-5pm, 5-7pm, Saturdays: 11am-1pm, 1-3pm | Different Stamford locations

      • Darien High School Youth Group (Monday thru Wednesday) | Shift time: 3:00-4:30pm | 1864 Post Road

      • Click Here to Sign Up
         
  • Saturdays - St. Lawrence Parish
    • St. Lawrence is in need of volunteers on Saturdays to manage housekeeping chores - moving boxes, cleaning up, etc...
    • Contact Rich Plavnicky if interested. 

Service Organizations to Reach Out to!

These are organizations that are always looking for volunteers! Reach out to Mr. Kingsbury if you need any assistance connecting with them. 

Service Expectations by Grade Level

Freshmen & Sophomores
Focus: Building habits of service and generosity.

Students may complete service hours through:

  • Service within St. Joseph High School

  • Service in their local community (parish, school, town)

  • Opportunities that support those in need (hungry, homeless, sick, elderly, disabled, economically disadvantaged)
     

Juniors & Seniors
Focus: Encountering Christ through meaningful service to others.

Students are called to a deeper level of service by:

  • Engaging in direct service to those in need
  • Ministries and opportunities that fulfill the Corporal Works of Mercy (serving the hungry, homeless, sick, elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged)
    • Supporting organizations that directly serve these populations. For example, volunteering for Swim Across the Sound (supports cancer research), etc.
  • Ministries that fulfill the Spiritual Works of Mercy (altar servers, lectors, cantors, choirs, religious education, etc.)

What Qualifies as Christian Service?
To be approved, service must:

  • Be voluntary (no payment or compensation)
  • Benefit others, especially those in need
  • Reflect the mission and values of the Catholic Church
  • Be completed through a non-profit organization, parish, school, or approved community effort.

Opportunities @ SJ
The following may count toward service hours when completed outside of normal obligations:

  • Pre-approved St. Joseph High School programs and events that serve others
  • St. Joseph High School organized camps (school-run programs only; not facility rentals by businesses)
    • Students assisting with athletic camps must receive pre-approval.
  • Student Ambassador Program (school tours, open houses, and events where students give their time freely)

Non-Approved Activities
The following will not be approved for service hours:

  • General Restrictions:
  • Volunteering for for-profit businesses (doctor’s offices, vets, law firms, retail stores, gyms, studios etc.)
  • Babysitting, housework, or yard work for family, friends, or neighbors
    • Note: Initiatives organized by community centers and non-profits are allowed.
  • Any work for which you are paid, or would normally be paid
  • Service connected to organizations that contradict the mission of the Catholic Church
     
  • Additional Restrictions to Consider:
  • Sports managers (valid for Freshmen & Sophomores, but not for Juniors & Seniors)
  • Extracurricular activities that serve to the benefit of the participants, including:
    • Most club activities
    • Potlucks
    • Performing in musicals
    • Participation in privately owned gyms, teams, clinics, dance studios, tournaments, preschools and daycares, tutoring centers, or similar organizations that are not verified non-profits.

What is a non-profit organization?

  • Any registered organization where service is performed must be a verified non-profit. Most organizations that our students serve the community through are non-profit organizations.
  • Organizations will be asked to provide an IRS tax-exempt determination letter or equivalent documentation.
  • If an organization cannot verify non-profit status, hours will not be approved. Check if an organization is an IRS approved non-profit BEFORE you engage in service.
  • The Spiritual Life Office can assist you with this, if needed.
  • Organizations that are businesses (LLC’s, etc.) are generally unacceptable for service.

Service Hours Requirement & Recognition

  • 25 hours are required each year for advancement to the next grade level and graduation.
  • Additional recognition:
    • Principal’s Service Award: 100+ hours
    • President’s Service Award: 200+ hours Important

Reminders

  • When in doubt, ask for approval in advance
  • Not all “good activities” qualify as Christian service
  • Service should be focused on the needs of others
 

Tracking Service Hours Using MobileServe

Students will use MobileServe to track service hours.

MobileServe is an online platform that provides an easy way to log your hours. Please follow the instructions below to register and begin logging your service hours.

  1. Visit MobileServe's website here. (They also have an app in the Apple Store and in Google Play)

  2. Students may simply use their Google account and click the single sign-on option for Google.
  3. MobileServe is linked to Blackbaud, so you already have an account set up.
  4. Click “SKIP” for Org code. You should not need an Org code to register. 

If Students Cannot Find Their Accounts:

  • Students must be sure that they are using their school-issued Google account (@sjcadets.org). If you are using a different account, it will not recognize you as an SJ student. 

If You Need Help Logging Your Hours