When Kristen Battista, sophomore in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, heard about the Light the Candle organization – a nonprofit movement that provides free, handmade birthday cards to foster children in group and foster homes – she was moved to bring the program to her fellow students.
“Light the Candle sparked an interest in me as soon as I saw the presentation,” Battista explained. While she volunteered over the summer in her home parish of St. Benedict, Holmdel, in the summer religious education program, Light the Candle founder Jordan Lacey came to speak to the children. Battista happened to be present for her appearance, and was immediately inspired.
“I told her that I was interested in bringing Light the Candle to my high school,” Battista said. “[Lacey] was not expecting to have a new chapter added to her foundation; her goal was just to have the children [of the religious education program] make birthday cards for the foster children whose birthday was that month.” But Battista believes Lacey was happy to have another group added, joining the other high school chapters throughout New Jersey.
Lacey’s video presentation mentioned that some of the birthday card recipients have never received one before.
“That instantly triggered something in my mind that made me want to get involved,” Battista said.
After seeking approval from Lacey, Battista talked to Michele Langdon, SJVHS director of student activities. “She was delighted and excited to open the chapter,” Battista explained, noting that Langdon sent out a school-wide email detailing the program, and received about 20 interested responses.
The chapter officially began in September with the start of the new school year, with monthly installments of about 10 to 20 card recipient names from Light the Candle.
“Although not technically a school club, we do meet at lunch whenever necessary, and most people make cards on a monthly basis,” she continued. “[The students are] all very excited and eager to help out. Many students decide to make the cards at home, so I will assign them children’s names that I receive from the foundation.”
The messages in the cards are tailored to be personal for each recipient, thanks to child information supplied by Light the Candle.
“They are made to be very happy, sweet, thoughtful and caring,” said Battista. “For instance, if ‘Katie’ is turning 7 years old and she likes dolls, then we will make her a card that has dolls on it… we are greeting the child and making them feel special.” To protect the SJVHS students’ privacy, cards are signed from the Light the Candle foundation.
Every chapter in the foundation receives the same list of recipients’ names, which means children may receive cards from several chapters. Light the Candle determines which foster care facilities cards will be sent to; each chapter sends its cards to Lacey, who then coordinates with the various homes for delivery.
“Our goal at SJVHS is that we make at least two cards for each child,” Battista said. “To date, we have made about 60 cards so far.”
Her love of helping children extended to her experience working with the summer religious education program as a second grade teacher’s assistant.
“I helped with the material, with the crafts, bringing them places … It’s crucial to be patient,” she said. “When you get to know these kids, you feel a bond – and you feel excited that you helped them prepare for their future religious studies, as they are preparing for First Holy Communion.”
Battista believes participating in the Light the Candle program has given her a goal to be proud of reaching.
“I truly want to be able to reflect on the person I am today later on in life, and feel accomplished,” she noted. “I receive this feeling … like nothing I’ve felt before – when you really do good for somebody and make them feel important. No materialistic item can do that for a person.”
And volunteering, overall, Battista credits with inspiring her to look at the big picture.
“We are all humans first, and no matter what we should do everything to serve and help each other,” she said. “Light the Candle is a step in the right direction for me. It has made me look at things with a bigger perspective … to always be grateful for what you have.”