Central Students Join Together to Collect Medical, School Supplies for WJU Service Trip to El Salvador

WHEELING — Despite the worsening economy and financial belt-tightening among Americans, Wheeling Central Catholic High School’s tradition of community service and outreach to those less fortunate remains strong. This month, 400 Central students and staff members joined together to contribute to an international service project in the planning at Wheeling Jesuit University.

When CCHS alumnae and twin sisters Brittany and Ashley Wolfe, now juniors at WJU, contacted their high school alma mater to raise awareness about an upcoming service trip to El Salvador, the Central community embraced the opportunity to get involved.

Donating such items as pens, pencils, rulers, coloring books, aspirin, Tylenol, toothbrushes and band-aids, students filled more than 20 shopping bags with these much much-needed school and medical supplies for the Central American country. Additionally, more than $150 in monetary donations was received. Spearheading the school drive at Central were Campus Minister Jeff Smay and Honors English Teacher Lou Volpe.

All of the donations will be distributed to a local school and medical clinic when the Wolfe sisters, along with 15 other WJU students and faculty members, travel to El Salvador this spring for a week-long journey. While in the country’s capital of San Salvador, and surrounding areas, the group will also work in a variety of places, including an orphanage, center for malnourished children, medical clinic, before and after school program for children and various construction sites.

With a foundation dating back to the 19th century, a faith-based education stands as the hallmark of Wheeling Central Catholic High School. Located in the heart of The Friendly City, Wheeling Central is proud of its 400-member student body and its 8,000 alumni, as well as their outstanding academic, athletic, and community service achievements. One of seven Catholic High Schools in West Virginia, Wheeling Central is where championship lives begin.