Helping children bloom

Bloom, an annual fundraiser for Marygrove March 8, raised a record $895,000 to provide hope and healing for children in need. Roseanne Henkel chaired the event which recognized Charles and Shirley Drury for their commitment to youth in need. Presenting sponsor was Centene Corp. Other sponsors included Bob and Roseanne Henkel, Ascension, Drury Development Corporation and Global Vision Technologies. Marygrove, a Catholic Charities agency, provides treatment and support to young people, ages birth through 21, struggling with the emotional and behavioral issues resulting from abuse, neglect or other trauma. To learn more, visit www.marygrovechildren.org.

Computer science honor

Four Catholic high schools in the archdiocese are among seven from Missouri awarded the College Board’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. The schools are Nerinx Hall, Rosati-Kain, Ursuline Academy and Visitation Academy. The award recognizes schools that are closing the gender gap and engaging more female students in computer science coursework in AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) and AP Computer Science A (AP CSA). The College Board is honoring schools who reached 50 percent or higher female representation in either of the two AP computer science courses in 2018, or whose percentage of the female examinees met or exceeded that of the school’s female population in 2018. Out of more than 18,000 secondary schools worldwide that offer AP courses, only 685 have achieved this result.

Shoes and more

Famous Footwear and the St. Louis Blues provided the Girls on the Run team at St. Frances Cabrini Academy with new shoes. This is the inaugural season of Girls on the Run at Cabrini, which has two teams with a total of 22 girls and five coaches. The visit included participation by Blues mascot Louie, the Blues crew squad and representatives from Famous Footwear.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Concussion clinic

The Tom Lombardo Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc., will sponsor a concussion clinic at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Lou Fusz Athletic Training Center (the former Rams Park), 1 Rams Way in Earth City. Admission is free. Speakers will be Dr. Mark Halstead, director of the Sports Concussion Program at Washington University; Larry Kindbom, head coach of the Washington University football team; and Dennis Snep, a retired coach and athletic director and author of “The Five Elements: A Leadership Model for Football Coaches.” A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation on football injuries and safety. For more information, contact Bob Bunton at (314)277-5458, (636) 891-9710 or [email protected].

Senior Olympics

The St. Louis Senior Olympics — an Olympic-style sporting event for men and women age 50 and older — is embarking on its 40th year. The regional competition is accepting applications for athletes and volunteers to participate in more than 90 individual and team events over Memorial Day weekend, May 23-28. Mercy Health is among the sponsors of the St. Louis Games. To register as an athlete or volunteer, see a complete list of events, venues and schedule, visit www.stlouisseniorolympics.org or call (314) 442-3279. Deadline for early registration rates is April 15; final registration deadline is May 1.

One Classroom

One Classroom has added Becky Crump to its team as director of development and events. Crump has experience in advocacy for special needs inclusion in education. She is a mother to two children, including a son with Down syndrome, and is a member of Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Creve Coeur. Her role will focus on helping the mission of creating inclusive Catholic educational opportunities for children with special needs in the archdiocese. A trivia night to support the foundation is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 4092 Blow St. in south St. Louis. To register or for more information, visit www.one-classroom.com or call (314) 406-4797.

Photo contest

La Salle Retreat Center in Glencoe is hosting its second photo contest, open to amateur photographers of any age. Photos must be taken on the grounds of La Salle May 1, 2018-May 10, 2019. Mounted print(s) and digital copies are to be submitted to La Salle by noon, Friday, May 10. Cash prizes totaling $400 will be awarded to the top five photos. All photos submitted will be used by La Salle for marketing purposes. For information, visit www.lasalleretreat.org or call (636) 938-5374.

Show Me MORE vocations

The Sisters of St. Joseph Vocation Team is inviting women interested in religious life to join a MORE Weekend June 14-16 in St. Louis. The weekend allows sisters and interested women to share some time in community, prayer and volunteer ministry. Participants will visit two volunteer sites where the sisters are active: Marian Middle School and an organic garden. They also will explore the core value of the Sisters of St. Joseph: being one with God and neighbor. For more information, visit sites.google.com/csjlife.org/more.

Hospice volunteers

Heartland Hospice is seeking volunteers to provide one-on-one attention to people in the final phase of terminal illness who are in need of companionship. Heartland volunteers offer support and practical, caring help, staying with a patient so family members can take a break, reading Scripture to patients or holding their hand. All assignments are in close proximity to a volunteer’s home, work or school. For information about the next training class, call Virginia at (314) 453-0990.

Volunteers sought

Room at the Inn is seeking volunteers for its Breakfast with the Inn Crowd event on Friday, May 10. Contact Mary at (314) 209-9181 or [email protected]. Proceeds from Doorways is seeking volunteers. The interfaith nonprofit organization supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal provides housing and related supportive services to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by HIV/AIDS. Help is needed with fundraisers, spring cleaning, companionship for residents, crafting, activity assistance, administrative functions and more. Contact Patrick Young at [email protected].