Msgr. Paul Dougherty, pastor of St. Margaret Parish, joins Linda D’Antonio O’Keefe and the volunteers as they prepare the school playground for the year.

Posted September 26, 2014

Accomplishing the huge task of moving 100 cubic yards of playground bedding with many hands prompted St. Margaret School parent Elizabeth Gallagher to get creative.

Gallagher contacted recently graduated students from St. Joseph’s University for the cause through the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACESJU), an innovative, two-year service program that provides recent college graduates the opportunity to serve as full-time teachers and administrators in under-resourced Catholic schools while pursuing a master’s degree.

To prepare the highly motivated educators, the program provides an intensive service experience encompassing four pillars: education, community, spirituality, and simple living.

ACESJU leader Father Brian Frain, S.J., and six student volunteers supported the parents and friends of St. Margaret School in Narberth on Saturday, Sept. 13 in a morning of community service with the goal of promoting safety in the playground for the school’s lower-grade students.

The volunteers kept the wheel barrels full, and pitch forks and shovels moving, along with professionals to assist the effort.

Parents, students and many others volunteered for the playground project.