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By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Sheepshead Bay
The school community at St. Edmund Prep High School performed a near miracle, when do-gooding students and alumni donated 120 units of blood during the Sheepshead Bay school’s annual drive. The life-saving plasma will help more than 360 people in need of blood transfusions. All Standing O can say is, “Wow!”
School nurse and Standing O pal Kathy DeMello was over the top in her praise of the good Samaritans.
“I am so proud of our current students and to our alumni who returned just to donate,” she said.
It makes Standing O glow, too, when the borough’s teens and students go out of their way for a worthy cause, and agrees with Nurse Kathy that these young men and women are Brooklyn heroes.
Standing O thanks the students because “every drop is golden.”
St. Edmund Preparatory High School [2474 Ocean Ave. at Avenue T in Sheepshead Bay, (718) 743–6100].
Bay Ridge
The reason for the season
Big-hearted students at St. Patrick’s School in Bay Ridge were in a class of their own for helping to collect food, blankets, towels, over-the-counter medicines, and diapers for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines last month, tragically killing more than 5,000 people and displacing countless others.
Parish vicar Father Joseph Hugo, a Filipino who organized the drive, marveled at the compassion and spirit of boroughites.
“We even received two generators from individuals who live in Breezy Point,’ he said. “These people know first-hand, after experiencing Superstorm Sandy, and they wanted to help.”
Father Joseph also exalted the students.
“They showed their true heart by donating their time and efforts,” he said.
Filipino volunteers in the community helped students collect and packaging the items.
St. Patrick’s Parish [9511Fourth Ave. at 95th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 238–2600].
• • •
Honors on high
More than 150 exceptional juniors, sophomores, and seniors were inducted into the Brother Hillary Chapter of the National Honor Society at Xaverian High School this fall. Deacons Kevin McCormack and Byran Amore blessed the occasion, and inductees Daniel Loud, Albert Connelly, and Joseph Donahue participated in a candle-lighting ceremony.
A reception at the Bay Ridge school followed the rites.
Vincent Torti, director of advancement, was the keynote speaker, and Roseann Guido was the faculty honoree.
Standing O congratulates all of the honorees.
Xaverian High School [7100 Shore Rd. at 71st Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 759–5728].
DUMBO
Odds bodkins
Hidey, hidey, hidey ho to Dr. Kay Turner, director of Folk Arts at Brooklyn Arts Council, who received the prestigious Benjamin A. Botkin prize for her achievements in public folklore. Dr. Kay was one of only two prominent American folklorists honored by the American Folklore Society.
She was also inducted as a member of the Fellows of the American Folklore Society in October.
Brooklyn Arts Council [55 Washington St. at Water Street at in Dumbo, (718) 625–0080].
Flatbush
Hip, hip, hooray!
Congratulations to CAMBA and its housing development section, CAMBA Housing Ventures, for being named non-profit of the year by the New York Housing Conference and the National Housing Conference.
The organization was among five recipients honored for their contributions to creating affordable homes and communities.
“We are proud to celebrate the association,” said Judy Calogero, chief executive officer of the New York Housing Conference. CAMBA and its affiliate were thrilled with the recognition.
“This is a very prestigious award, and we are honored to have the national affordable housing community recognize our work,” said Joanne Oplusti, CAMBA president and chief executive officer.
Standing O sends its own shout-out to the group that provides affordable housing for so many.
CAMBA [1720 Church Ave. at E. 18th Street in Flatbush, (718) 287–2600].