Students at the Church of the Holy Cross school in Times Square will ring in 2009 with a new library, thanks to a group of New York Samaritans who were moved by the financial plight of the landmark parish.
The 5,000-book, two-room Holy Vision Library Center opened yesterday – just one week after a group of 13 benefactors, all part of a leadership group comprised of professionals from the five boroughs, sprang into action to build it.
“We read in The Post about their need, and we were just moved to help,” said a member of the group, which has asked to remain anonymous.
The 156-year-old parish – whose food pantry feeds 18,200 needy New Yorkers each year and whose school is an educational haven for 276 kids – was already struggling to pay for repairs to its crumbling facade and ceiling when a fire tore through the rectory and thieves broke into the food pantry.
The Holy Cross Christmas Appeal is raising money to help with the staggering financial blow.
The Samaritans turned out last week to help at the church food pantry, where they met Holy Cross student Kendreana Challenger, who was also volunteering.
“She was our inspiration,” said the group member. “We asked her what the school needed, and we learned they didn’t even have a library. The least we could do was give them that.”
After meeting with the school’s principal, Sister Mary Theresa Dixon, the benefactors set to work converting and renovating two unused classrooms. They spent last week collecting donated lumber, shelving, carpeting, furniture and books from friends, relatives and New York businesses.
By Sunday afternoon, the rooms had been transformed.
“We wanted to give back to a parish that does so much for the city and their community,” said the group member.
“Kendreana will leave here and read to her kids, and they’ll read to their kids. And she’s just one of 276 students. This could have a multigenerational effect. If these children leave a space they enter better off than it was when they arrived, that passion is continued down the line.”
To donate books to the Holy Cross library, please contact Sr. Mary Theresa Dixon at (212) 246-0923.