As an alumna of St. Joseph School, Withey worked with the school, her parish pastor, Father Jerry Ochetti, the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her Girl Scout Gold advisor in organizing the food drive and blanket collection. As a result, more than 5,500 pounds of food and 75 blankets were donated to the St. Joseph’s His Hands Ministry.
“I have a passion to help the poor in spirit and those in need, and as part of my faith journey, and listening to the Gospel to ‘feed the poor,’ this is something that I really wanted to do for my Girl Scout Gold Award Project,” Withey said.
Last year, through scholarship, Withey was able to visit the African country Zambia to help the orphans and rural school children there. The children had no shoes and were living in stick homes, often without parents. Their food resources were meager.
Through the Webb Schools Global Children Relief, she founded “Flip Flops for Freddie” and delivered 457 pairs of flip flops to Zambian children.
“I believe that part of our mission as Catholics and Christians is to give to those in need,” Withey said. “I have an inward peace knowing that our community stepped up to be a part of my Girl Scout Award Project. I could not have done this on my own, it takes a community effort and St. Joseph’s Upland helped the local underserved population.”
Jacqueline continues to serve at her parish as a Eucharistic Minister. She is a junior at the Webb Schools in Claremont.