All SMCHS classes participated in a Dash for Cash for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath on Thursday Aug. 31.

Hurricane Harvey is still an active tropical cyclone that is causing flooding in Southeastern Texas. Harvey is the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the U.S., with more than 40 inches of rain in a four-day period, and the first major hurricane since Wilma in 2005. Harvey is projected to result in over 13,00 rescues and 30,000 displaced residents.

Dash for Cash’s goal is to unite the entire student body and raise as much money as possible within a 60 second time period. The Dash took place during first block, period 3, on Thursday.

“I wanted to help those in need because [in times like this], it is important to come together as a country,” said Peer Ministry student, Shelby Portner.

Instructions were given as teachers tuned into the ETV 2.0 broadcast. Students displayed Caritas Christi behind this donation; every penny raised will be sent to Catholic Charities USA, the official disaster relief organization within the Catholic Church.

“Under Activities and Peer ministry, we worked to find a charitable organization, and we chose Catholic Charities USA because the money will be properly distributed in various ways for food, clothing or shelters,” said Peer Ministry Director, Patrick Visconti. “The main motivation is to have the folks at SMCHS feel connected to those in Texas.”

The student body’s effort was a success and Campus Ministry collected over 5,000 for Hurricane Harvey.