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May 29-June 4, 2020 Facebook @FloridaCatholic
YOUR VENICE COMMUNITY
JOHN CARKEET
Special to the Florida Catholic
VENICE Volunteers and staff members gathered at the Diocese of Venice Catholic Center May 20, 2020, to assemble more than 50 face shields and ear saver kits for those serving on the front lines of the CO- VID-19 pandemic. The first wave will go to Diocesan clergy and staff and volunteers at Catholic Charities Diocese of Ven- ice Inc. food distribution sites.The kits were made possible by dozens of people throughout the Diocese who joined the Camillus Project. Named after St. Camillus de Lellis, the patron saint for doctors, nurses and the sick, this philanthropic campaign uses 3D printing tech- nology to create Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As soon as I heard the 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) commu- nity was printing PPE, I knew we had to do our part and help too," said Jennifer Falestiny, founder and lead designer of the Camillus Proj- ect. Falestiny, who also serves as the Diocesan Curriculum Coordina-
Camillus Project provides PPE for frontline workers
tor, collaborated with the Diocese's Department of Education and its schools to recruit volunteers with 3D printers to create the compo- nents necessary to build the kits. We have several individuals and even a school who joined the Ca- millus Project," Falestiny said. "To- gether they have printed hundreds of face shields and ear savers, and they plan to print hundreds more in the coming weeks." Each kit contains a face shield, ear saver (a component which al- lows someone to secure the face shield without having to loop it around their ears), instructions, in- formational material about the Ca- millus Project and a thank you card from the Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools Community. Morena McCormack and Cathy Grippi, Catholic Charities volun- teers at Our Mother's House in Ven- ice, assisted in the assembly of the first waves of face shields. They both were grateful for the opportunity to help provide the much needed PPE. It's more than just finding a bunch of people to fire up their 3D printers," Falestiny said. "The suc- cess of this project also hinges on people testing designs, identify- ing recipients, assembling kits and delivering these kits to those who need them most... This is a team effort that requires creativity, coor- dination and a little elbow grease." According to Falestiny, the kits will arrive in several waves from May through July. Clergy, staff members and volunteers with Catholic Charities Diocese of Ven- ice Inc., who assist food distribution centers within the Diocese will re- ceive the first wave. The next waves of completed kits will be delivered to doctors, nurses and first respond- ers at Bayfront Health in Port Char- lotte and Lee Health Systems in Fort Myers. Clergy at the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools alumni who are currently serving on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis will receive kits as well," Falestiny added. Although the Camillus Project is primarily a product of the CO- VID-19 pandemic, Falestiny sees its impact resonating throughout the Diocese for years to come. "The Camillus Project demonstrates the power of STREAM (Science, Tech- nology, Religion, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). Our schools have incorporated STREAM into their curriculum for several years. When the world cried for help, we had the faith, knowledge and experience to answer the call."
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To learn more about the Camillus Project and register as a volun- teer, visit dovdepartmentofedu. wixsite.com/camillusproject.
BOB REDDY
of the Florida Catholic staff
VENICE Bishop Frank J. De- wane, joined by members of the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc. Board, led a virtual presentation ceremony May 20, 2020, from the Catholic Center in Venice to honor 16 Foundation scholarship winners. The recipients of the Mary Fran Carroll, Coseglia and Schaerf schol- arships were recognized for their outstanding academic achieve- ments and for their commitment of continuing their education in pursuit of wide-ranging career paths such as nursing, pediatri- cian, veterinarian, engineering and more. The ceremony is typically held in person, but the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the virtual ceremony. Bishop Dewane opened with prayer and said he was impressed with the new Foundation Scholars adding that many are interested in going into the medical field, where there is a great need. "God has blessed you each with different gifts. Enjoy what you are going to do but keep an eye on that goal." Michael Morse, Executive Di- rector of the Catholic Community Foundation, congratulated the new scholars, saying the young men and women are worthy to forever be known as Foundation Scholars. Every one of you, from what we learned, is unique, special, strong and smart; embrace that." The Mary Fran Carroll Scholar- ship provides a total of 11 academic scholarships, each valued at $3,000 a piece, to residents of Sarasota County. It is available for tuition, books and fees. This year there were 10 traditional scholarship winners (high school graduates pursuing an undergraduate degree) and one non-traditional winner (an adult learner seeking an advanced edu- cation after being away from school for a number of years). Scholarship applicants were asked to complete an online application and finan- cial needs assessment in addition to submitting a clearly articulated career plan describing their cho- sen course of study. Traditional students needed to be accepted into an accredited college or uni- versity and non-traditional stu- dents needed to be accepted into an accredited college, university or vocational program. Scholarships may also be renewed annually up to a total of five academic years for students maintaining a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.2 or greater, while also making progress toward their career goal. The Frank and Florence Cose- glia Scholarship provides a one- time scholarship of $1,117 to one graduating senior from each of the four Catholic High Schools within the Diocese of Venice. The win- ners were nominated by their high schools and approved by the Foun- dation Board. The newest award offered through the Foundation is the Fred- erick W. Schaerf M.D. Ph.D. Neuro- science Scholarship, which pro- vides one $4,000 one-time schol- arship to a graduating senior from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience. The Foundation Scholarship Committee carefully reviewed ap- plications before determining the worthiest applicants. During the virtual scholarship ceremony, recipients shared their personal experiences, and college and career goals. Each expressed their appreciation for the scholar- ship. Many specifically explained how the scholarship money will as- sist in lessening the financial bur- den of attending college and pursu- ing their career goals. Mary Fran Carroll Scholar Eliza- beth Steindorf graduated from Riv- erview High School and is a parish- ioner at Christ the King Parish in Sarasota, who will be attending the Louisiana State University Ogden Honors College to study chemistry on a pre-med track in hopes of be- coming either a general pediatri- cian or pediatric surgeon. "Thank you. This scholarship will help pay for my undergrad so I can focus my funds toward medical school in the future." Board President Dominick Ca- vuato summed up the sentiments of the Board when he noted how the new Foundation Scholars are an impressive group of young women and men. "We congratulate you on the journey you have taken so far, and we look forward to hearing great things in the future." The Catholic Community Foun- dation of Southwest Florida Inc. was established to provide philan- thropic opportunities for individu- als, such as Mary Fran Carroll, to create lasting gifts in support of Catholic programs and ministries within the Diocese of Venice. Last year alone, the Foundation distrib- uted $1.2 million in endowed sup- port for Catholic Schools, Parishes, Seminarian education, programs for the needy, college scholarships and more.
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To learn about the Catholic Com- munity Foundation, contact Mi- chael Morse at 941-441-1124 or Morse@dioceseofvenice.org. Visit www.CCFDioceseofvenice.org.
Catholic Community Foundation presents 16 scholarships
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, right, and Michael Morse, Executive Director the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc., participate in a Zoom virtual meeting honoring Foundation scholarship recipients May 20, 2020. (BOB REDDY FC) Jennifer Falestiny, founder and lead designer of the Camillus Project holds her children behind boxes of face shields made for and dontated to frontline workers. (JOHN CARKEET FC)
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