Students at St. Joseph Catholic School Raise Nearly $4,500 for Friends of Chimbote Through Annual 8th Grade Service Project
February 17, 2026
Rice Lake, WI — Students at St. Joseph Catholic School demonstrated the power of faith in action during Catholic Schools Week – January 25-31. The 8th grade class chose to do a fundraiser for Friends of Chimbote which is a non profit in Peru which helps youth and families to live a better life. Through their efforts, the school community raised $4,489.28 and collected 1,035 items, helping provide essential supplies for students in Chimbote, Peru.
The donations contributed allowed the class to purchase additional needed supplies, ultimately completing 46 backpacks, surpassing the original goal of 35 backpacks for students served by Friends of Chimbote.
“It is not typical for a nonprofit Catholic school to raise money for other nonprofit organizations, but this has been part of the St. Joseph School culture for decades,” Mrs. Emily Hagen, Dir. of Marketing and Advancement, shares. The tradition began with Sister Claudine and continues today through the leadership of Mrs. Nielsen and the 8th-grade class, encouraging students to live out their faith through service and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
The 8th grade class brought in the most money and items and chose to share their prizes with the second-place classes — celebrating with donuts alongside 2nd grade and ice cream with 6th grade — reflecting the spirit of generosity that defined the project.
Backpacks will be formally presented to representatives from Friends of Chimbote during an all-school assembly, celebrating what organizers describe as “an amazing gift of love for students across the world.”
A Tradition Rooted in Faith and Service
The fundraiser was a highlight of Catholic Schools Week at St. Joseph Catholic School, a week dedicated to celebrating faith, community, and the school’s mission. The week began with students participating in Mass with the parish community, serving as greeters, altar servers, and choir members.
Students also participated in a variety of activities, including service projects, faith-focused learning, and community-building events. Middle school students took part in a daily faith quiz bowl, an hour of worship music and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and collaborative interdisciplinary projects, while elementary students enjoyed special activities and field trips. Teachers were recognized throughout the week with appreciation lunches, and dress-up days added to the celebration.
Forming Hearts for Others
School leaders say the Friends of Chimbote project exemplifies what makes Catholic education unique — forming students not only academically, but spiritually and morally.
“This project teaches our students compassion, gratitude, and the importance of serving others,” organizers said. “These traditions help our students see that even at a young age, they can make a real difference in the world.”
For the St. Joseph Catholic School community, the success of this year’s fundraiser is a reminder that when faith and generosity come together, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom — all the way to students in Chimbote, Peru.
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