Oak Knoll second graders in Alicia Grimes and Emily Hart’s religion classes this week were buzzing as children collected and sorted gently used sweaters for those in need who are serviced by Bridges Outreach in Summit and Catholic Charities.

Now in its 20th year, the Lower School’s annual second grade “Share a Sweater” service project collected more than 200 sweaters for kids, men, and women, large and small.

“Service is important because some people don’t have food or clothes. So, on a cold winter day or cold summer night, they might be hungry or cold, so we help by donating things like clothes or food to service centers nearby,” said Eileen Lindquist ’31.

Classmate Michael Lombardi ‘31 agreed.

“Donating sweaters is important for people’s health so that they can stay warm,” he said.

On Friday, Grimes planned to deliver the sweaters to Bridges and Catholic Charities for distribution.

“Service to others is part of our mission at Oak Knoll as a Holy Child School,” said Grimes. “Part of the first goal of the Holy Child Network is to serve others and we make an effort to identify local groups to help those in our own community.”

Founded in 1988, Bridges Outreach serves the homeless in New York City, Newark, Irvington and Summit, NJ each week. More than 2,000 volunteers each year help deliver 65,000 meals, seasonal clothing, and necessities to those in need.

The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.