"There aren't many classes available that can teach someone how to live
in the world today. We got involved in ODW so that we would become more
aware of the world and help make it better. Being involved in ODW is kind
of like a class. We are always learning things about the world and
ourselves. ODW has been an enriching experience and continues to be. It
is a great lifetime memory and experience!
About a dozen students from Pius XI High School met in Philadelphia for
one week last July. Pius was one of seven pilot schools that attended the
Operation Day's Work Constitutional Convention. We worked with other middle
and high school students to write up a constitution for Operation Day's Work
in the United States. Our hard work and dedication paid off with the
completion of the constitution. We learned how to work together for a common
goal and with patience and commitment, our goal will become reality. This
constitution is our base, our foundation for Operation Day's Work to prosper
in the future."
ODW Committee
Pius XI High School
Milwakee, WI
[return to top]
"ODW has affected me tremendously...the person I was, the person I am, and the person I hope to become...opening my eyes to the world around me, as well as to the power of youth. I hope it has done the same for everyone else, and will continue to do so for the future youth of America."
Erin Merkl
Class of '99 - Pius XI High School
Milwaukee, WI
[return to top]
"On this project we were able to learn of the plight of families in a country in our own hemisphere that were suffering very needlessly. After this day, a day that can never be wiped from our minds or the lives of those we helped, something will be different. I know it's small. I know that there are some who scoff, but I believe that if this can spread throughout our nation as it spread from my middle school to my high school to my city, when Operation Day's Work is mentioned again only a feeling of pride in a job well-done will be known."
Migdalia Tracy
Grade 9 - Quincy High School
Quincy, MA
[return to top]
"Joining Operation Day's Work-USA was one of the best decisions I could ever have made. This program gives youth a chance to take action and to stop sitting back and watching bad things happen to the world. The coolest thing about being in ODW-USA is that work we do in our communities and our fundraising helps thousands of children's lives. For me, to know I've done something like that, gives me the greatest feeling."
Evelyn McInnes
Grade 8 - Broad Meadows Middle School
Quincy, MA
[return to top]
"Operation Day's Work is a great experience for kids. We are kids, helping kids to help themselves. When you help someone, it feels good. Joining ODW-USA helps you to take action against things you think are not fair."
Mary Bloomer
Grade 7 - Broad Meadows Middle School
Quincy, MA
[return to top]
I thought ODW-USA was very fun. I couldn't believe that I was helping kids in Haiti while I was having fun working on our city's historic U.S. Naval cruiser, the USS Salem. Onboard, we cleared out and cleaned up new sleeping quarters for overnight scouting trips. It sounds gross, but we had fun, and we accomplished something important for our city and for Haiti. My friend Shaun and I also did a second project. We worked as volunteers in Congressman
William Delahunt's office here in Quincy, MA. We ran off newspaper articles for his D.C. office. I never saw such a big copy machine. My ODW-USA experiences, I'll never forget.
John Cappellano
Grade 8 - Broad Meadows Middle School
Quincy, MA
[return to top]
|
