In December, Ursuline Academy of Dallas lived out its Serviam mission through the Angel Tree Serviam Program, a campus-wide service initiative that united students and faculty in generous response to the needs of the local community.

Led by Administrative Assistant for Campus Ministry and Mission and Heritage Brenda Rasco and Service Coordinator Gabrielle Merani, the program invited participants to sponsor individuals from across four community partners by purchasing gifts based on personalized wish lists.

This year, students and faculty donated more than 300 gifts, ensuring that individuals of all ages experienced dignity, joy, and care during the Christmas season.

Student Impact Across Four Community Partners

Ursuline students donated a total of 211 gifts benefiting four local organizations:

• AIDS Service of Dallas, supporting adult men and women living with HIV/AIDS.

• Catholic Charities, which requested and received 30 complete towel sets to support families in need.

• St. Vincent de Paul, serving 75 children between the ages of 5 and 17 through individualized gift requests.

• Association for Independent Living provided wish lists for 19 adults; every requested item was fulfilled by Ursuline students.

Faculty Support for Brother Bill’s Helping Hand

Ursuline faculty members contributed nearly 100 gifts to Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, which provides food, healthcare, and educational programming to North Texans in need. 

Laurel Green, Youth and Children’s Program Director at Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, shared the impact of the collective generosity of the numerous organizations that contributed alongside Ursuline: 

Thank you so much for your incredible support in making this year’s Christmas Celebration a huge success! Because of you, we were able to serve more than 700 families, nearly 2,000 children with joy, dignity, and hope this holiday season.

Families enjoyed a truly special experience, including photos with Santa and time in our Kid’s Celebration Area, where children roasted s’mores, enjoyed popcorn, made crafts, watched a movie, and of course shared milk and cookies. While the kids were having fun, parents were able to shop privately for Christmas gifts. Each family also left with a $20 Walmart gift card, candy canes, stocking stuffers, and a Box of Blessing filled with food to help meet practical needs.

This event would not be possible without the generosity and faithfulness of partners like you. I am truly grateful and deeply blessed year after year by your continued support and commitment to serving our community.