Christmas cheer! St. Stephen CSS students send over 4,500 cards to members of the Canadian Armed Forces

Jan. 10, 2025

In a show of generosity and Christmas spirit, students at St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School in Bowmanville handcrafted 4,701 cards for members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

The cards were delivered on-time so that an active duty member of the CAF would have it in their hands for Christmas Day.

One of the goals of the initiative is to support the mental health and wellbeing of CAF members.

“The cards and the growth of this annual giving event means so much to me, because it literally saves the lives of our Canadian Service Men and Women, especially those in the field during Christmas,” said Deacon Shawn Panio, Chaplain at St. Stephen CSS. “The students always inspire me with their talent, creativity and messaging in the Christmas Cards they make. They truly do an awesome job. And this year they made 4,701 cards, I am beyond all words of gratitude.”   

This year’s goal was to surpass last year’s total of 3,292 cards, which the students more than delivered on.

This tradition, now in its third year, was started by Deacon Panio who has watched the campaign grow from a little more than 1,000 cards in its first year to this year’s result.