SCRANTON -- A tough school year is winding down for many students at a Catholic school in Scranton after a classmate was killed in a crash. Students at All Saints Academy found a special way to honor him by helping other children in need.
Students from All Saints Academy learned a big lesson as they collected bags full of baby clothes, food, and gear from their classmates at the Catholic school in Scranton.
They learned there's a big need as they delivered them to the St. Joseph's Center Baby Pantry in Dunmore.
"Some kids aren't as fortunate as I am. I had a bunch of this stuff, so it means a lot to help them out," said sixth grader Emily Haikes.
But these girls and their classmates have learned a much tougher life lesson: the loss of a friend.
Seventh grader Lenny Zupon was killed in a crash last August, just as the school year started.
"It's hard. He was always laughing and then in music class he would always kick the back of my foot," laughed classmate Aleah Shulte.
Lenny was actually there doing this same delivery, from this same donation drive, last year as part of the Peacemaker service group at school.
Now, all the donations are in honor of him.
"He's so close in our hearts, all the time, especially today."
The head of St. Joseph's Center gave a plaque to Lenny's mom. Lenny and his family were at St. Joseph's events his whole life. On the plaque is a photo of him making the deliveries there last year.
"Lenny is close in the hearts of so many people and this is a great way for his legacy and his memory to continue to be of assistance to others," said Sr. Maryalice Jacquinot.
The donations of clothes and supplies the students brought will join all the others at the St. Joseph's Center Baby Pantry. But of course, that gift the kids brought this year has a special meaning.
"[It's] the best thing we could do. Lenny was everyone's kid at that school, big part of our school. [It's a] huge loss, but we try to honor him any way we can," said teacher's aide Peggy Zwiebel.
Now other little boys and girls will be dressed, diapered, and fed, thanks to the memory of a boy gone too soon.