On Tuesday, November 21, 2006, the Mount’s annual “Thanksgiving Basket Drive” ended when several members of the varsity football team delivered the baskets to St. Dominic’s Church in the Bronx. The Mount student body was able to fill 60 baskets with all the necessities for a Thanksgiving feast. The students also donated money to help purchase 60 turkeys.

Despite losing a heartbreaker (21-20) just two days earlier in the CHSFL AAA championship game, several varsity players donned their jerseys with pride as they helped to pack a school bus with the baskets and deliver them to St. Dominic’s church. Among the group of players were four seniors, three who are team captains. They were Vincent Natal, Steven Berger (Captain), Chris Ogando (Captain), and Mike Petrellese (Captain).

All of them had special things to say about the day. Chris Ogando said, “It always feels good to help out others who are less fortunate.” Mike Petrellese stated, “I have had so many blessings in my life. The least I can do is give back to those with less.”

On Thursday, November 23, 2006, the Mount once again opened its doors to alumni and guests for the annual “Turkey Bowl” against Cardinal Hayes. Vincent Natal used the game as a backdrop for why he participates in the drive. “Being able to go out and play a football game on Thanksgiving while some of these families are struggling to survive really puts things in focus. I want to win, and I know my teammates do, but this helps me appreciate the blessings in my life.” Captain Steve Berger added, “Being able to lesson that burden for those families, even for one day, is an amazing thing.”

The ASTAAN program, housed in St. Dominic’s church, will distribute Thanksgiving dinners to over 115 families this holiday. The Mount is proud to help lessen their burden. Mr. Donald Van Bomel, the Campus Minister and Mrs. Gina Negrin, Student Council Moderator, would like to thank the Mount students and teachers and all those who helped make this program a success once again.