ALWAYS MEN FOR OTHERS
Supporting the needs of
elementary students
18 JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2020-21
Dill, Mangan, and Fuentes distributing school
supplies at Potter Elementary
Agmen Christi
continues
serving those
D uring the summer of 2020, it was
unclear if, and when, students in
Hillsborough County might return
in need to school.
But COVID-19 was not the only major
problem for some students and families
in Hillsborough County. Affording school
supplies also is an issue for many.
Jesuit juniors ����������������������������������������������������
����������������������������������, and ����������������������������
were determined to ease that burden
a little bit, using their connection with
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Grows to raise money for much-needed
school supplies.
Mangan had been involved in a previous
service initiative with Where Love
Grows that was very successful. During
his freshman year, Mangan, with an
assist from his Jesuit hockey teammates,
made Christmas brighter for some local
families in Tampa, collecting dozens
of donated gifts as well as numerous
gift cards. He distributed the gifts and
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and families at the Liberty Boys & Girls
Club.
This summer, Mangan, Dill, Constan-
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Ambassadors with Where Love Grows,
targeted the need for school supplies.
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and staff at Potter Elementary in the
Jackson Heights neighborhood in Tampa
to determine what was needed. Then
they created a Wish List on Amazon and
launched their school supply drive.
It raised $8,000, all for supplies for
the elementary school students.
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said. “It’s kind of crazy how much we
got, how much support there was,
and I’m grateful for everyone that
donated.”
On August 20, just before public
schools opened in Hillsborough
County, it all came together, as families
drove through the Potter parking lot
and picked up their supplies.
There to help with distribution were
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“It has been really impactful, as you
see,” Mangan told reporter ��������������
���������� as the families picked up their
supplies. “All these kids getting their
(supplies) and the look it puts on their
face.”
“It feels awesome,” Dill said.
For years, the Jesuit club Agmen
Christi has provided an abundance
of service to those in need in
Tampa and beyond. 2020-21 has
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commitment to service is a strong as
ever.
Same as every year, many Agmen
members made a weekend service
trip to Belle Glade this fall, completing
hours of manual labor in the
impoverished rural community on Lake
Okeechobee.
On the day before Thanksgiving,
dozens of club members served
Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa,
assisting their annual holiday efforts
to help feed the poor and homeless.
In December, a large contingent of
Agmen members provided service at
the holiday gift tent at Metropolitan
Ministries.
Some adjustments due to COVID-19
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Agmen’s annual Christmas gift-giving
event with migrant families in Plant
City, which typically feels like big a
family reunion, was a drive-by event
this year. The parents drove up and the
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requested, personally wrapped gifts
from Agmen members.
Helping Gold
Star families
Sometimes, a transformation
happens just by saying ‘yes.’
Last summer, ��������������������������������
���������� buddy ���������������������������������� asked
Overstreet if he wanted to join him at a
service project, landscaping a home.
Overstreet said yes.
And just like that, Overstreet’s concept
of service changed, from an obligation
required if he wanted to graduate from
Jesuit to a passion in his life.
On that summer day, McLeod and
Overstreet were volunteering with
Ryan Overstreet '22
(right) and Lawson
McLeod '22 discovered
their service passion
supporting Gold Star
families