From left, Butler Catholic School students Hannah Lewis, Maddigan Smith, Delaney Adley, Delaney Kelley and Ruby Wissinger help prepare care bags. Roughly 225 care bags were prepared by students for Butler Memorial Hospital. Each bag included snacks, notes, and individual 'brain break' activities to help hospital workers take some time to relax. After the care bags were blessed, a group of students took them to the hospital to be distributed to workers.

The pandemic has been exhausting, particularly for those on the front lines in hospitals and emergency services.

On Friday, Butler Catholic School sought to offer relief to those who work in Butler Memorial Hospital by preparing and donating 225 handmade care bags.

“We wanted to boost their spirits,” Principal Sister John Ann Mulhern said. “This is just one way to thank the people who are daily surrounded by pain and hurt.”

Each care bag included an apple to celebrate fall, snacks, notes of encouragement and thank-yous from BCS students as well as individual ‘brain break’ activities to help hospital staff relax. All items were supplied by or made at Butler Catholic School.

The bags were blessed at the schoolwide mass Friday. A group of students took them to the hospital to be distributed that day.

“Everybody in school did something,” Mulhern said.

The activity was prompted by a school parent, who contacted the school asking if hospital staff could be included in staff and student prayers.

In addition to praying for front-line workers, school leaders decided the gift bags would be a tangible reminder of the community’s love and support.

“We need to recognize the work that our doctors and nurses do to protect us,” Mulhern said. “This was a community effort for the community.”

To learn about other BCS events and activities, visit www.butlercatholic.org.