A giving fence: Father Marquette Catholic Academy warms up the holidays
This is Father Marquette Catholic Academy’s “Giving Fence.” Items like hats and other clothing items needed for cold weather, which are hung on a fence outside the academy along Fourth Street in Marquette, are free to anyone who needs them. (Photo courtesy of Christie Mastric)
Father Marquette Catholic Academy students hold a snack sale to raise money for the ÒGiving Fence.Ó Items like hats and other clothing items needed for cold weather, which are hung on a fence outside the academy along Fourth Street in Marquette, are free to anyone who needs them. (Photo courtesy of FMCA)
A handmade sign explains Father Marquette Catholic Academy’s “Giving Fence.” Items like hats and other clothing items needed for cold weather, which are hung on a fence outside the academy along Fourth Street in Marquette, are free to anyone who needs them. (Photo courtesy of Christie Mastric)
This is Father Marquette Catholic Academy’s “Giving Fence.” Items like hats and other clothing items needed for cold weather, which are hung on a fence outside the academy along Fourth Street in Marquette, are free to anyone who needs them. (Photo courtesy of Christie Mastric)
Father Marquette Catholic Academy students hold a snack sale to raise money for the ÒGiving Fence.Ó Items like hats and other clothing items needed for cold weather, which are hung on a fence outside the academy along Fourth Street in Marquette, are free to anyone who needs them. (Photo courtesy of FMCA)
A handmade sign explains Father Marquette Catholic Academy’s “Giving Fence.” Items like hats and other clothing items needed for cold weather, which are hung on a fence outside the academy along Fourth Street in Marquette, are free to anyone who needs them. (Photo courtesy of Christie Mastric)
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MARQUETTE -- The fence outside Father Marquette Catholic Academy along Fourth Street is a little more colorful now, although that color has a practical purpose.
"Now that it's feeling a bit more like winter, people are starting to bundle up as the temperature is dropping," said Lacey Stensberg, administrative assistant at the academy, in an email. "Knowing not everyone has ready access to outer wear, students at Father Marquette Catholic Academy decided to help."
The FMCA elementary classes in the past have donated or given back to various area organizations.
This year they set their sights on a "Giving Fence" for the community.
On Dec. 10, students in kindergarten through fourth grade held a snack sale for FMCA staff and pupils in the cafeteria.
Snack items, which were donated from their families, cost 50 cents.
With those proceeds -- and many donations from families as well -- the classes purchased hats, mittens and coats to hang on the Father Marquette Catholic Academy fence.
Items, which were hung in bags to protect them from the elements, are free for anyone who wants them.
FMCA said people are invited to take what they need from the fence at any time.
"FMCA just hopes the "Giving Fence" can keep someone a little warmer this year," Stensberg said.
Garrett Maskart, a third-grader at FMCA, echoed that sentiment.
The boy said the project, which involved "bagging all the stuff," was fun, but he also acknowledged people need things to keep them warm.
"Some people don't have anything," Garrett said.
Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net