Hernando: Students Visit the St. Dominic Savio Salesian Cooperator Center

By Melody Candiloro, Salesian Cooperator

(Hernando, FL – February 25) – On Wednesday, February 18, students from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ, visited the St. Dominic Savio Salesian Cooperator Center at Don Bosco's Children's Home in Hernando, FL.

These 11 young men were accompanied by their guidance counselor, John Cahill, and Salesian Lay Missionary, Angel Nuñez-Arce. They helped in many ways by raking up a truckload of leaves and planting, seeding, and mulching the ground. They performed these acts of service with smiles, fun, and, most importantly, joy in their hearts as they fulfilled their mission of charity. It was so refreshing to spend time with such fine, well-mannered, hard-working young men!

Everyone enjoyed lunch, which was prepared and served by Salesian Cooperator Pat Sobel, who is also the Center’s coordinator, and her husband, Charles. Girls from the Don Bosco Children's Home and several Salesian Cooperators were also in attendance.

The following day, two other groups of young people visited the Home. The first group was from Salesian High School in New Rochelle, NY, and they were chaperoned by their coordinator of youth ministry (CYM), Francis Badillo. The other youth group came from St. John Bosco Parish in Port Chester, NY, and they were chaperoned by their CYM, Fr. Eddie Chincha, SDB. Everyone continued the mission with more lawn work and the much-needed re-posting of the Stations of the Cross on the Home’s grounds.

The Salesian Family in Hernando is so grateful for these young people’s generosity, kind hearts, and hard work. What a blessing for all!

We are looking forward to seeing them again next year.