Last night, the DePaul Catholic HS Football team along with the St. Vincent DePaul students hosted DPD residents from Barnet House, Fitzpatrick House, Basile Apartments and Kelleher Apartments for a Valentine’s Day celebration. The event was organized by longtime DPD supporter Diane Macchia-Hanson. Diane’s Aunt Sissy was a resident of DPD’s Wayne House and Barnet House for most of her adult life. After Sissy passed away, Diane made it her mission to stay connected with Sissy’s DPD Family, starting with hosting Christmas at her home along with other families from Wyckoff who bought gifts for all the residents. This annual tradition has turned into a community affair with the DePaul Catholic HS student body. Diane’s son, CJ, is on the football team and he and his teammates, along with Coach McKenna and Coach Campanile, and many other students have been giving back to DPD through various activities. They have hosted Christmas parties for the residents and now put together this amazing Valentine’s party.
As the residents arrived, they were each escorted into the building by the football players, all of whom know each resident’s name. Once seated at the table, the students greeted the residents and asked them what they wanted to drink and got them their beverage of choice. This was followed by a craft activity where the residents and students decorated heart shaped cookies which were baked by the culinary students at DePaul! After this, all enjoyed a feast together for dinner, which included homemade penne vodka, meatballs, pasta salad, chicken fingers and lots of pizza. Again, each resident was served by the students.
After dinner, dancing followed and all had a great time together. Next, ice cream sundaes were enjoyed with ice cream from Applegate Farms in Montclair, scooped by some of the football moms, who were also there all night helping with the party and the food. Finally, a round of Valentine’s bingo was enjoyed with the students. Every resident was sent home with their own box of Valentine’s chocolates and a goody bag, each decorated by the students and personalized with each resident’s name on it.
It was an amazing event! To see the students interact with the DPD residents was beautiful. They were caring and compassionate and truly enjoyed spending time with them. We are so appreciative of Diane for organizing this event, as well as so many other special events in the past. And we are so proud to have such a special relationship with DePaul Catholic and all the faculty, staff and students. They are certainly developing wonderful leaders of the future!