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Paul Charrette
Lansing
Hero Story
Paul Charette has always had a generous heart. Paul and his wife Cindy have been members of the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish since 2000. For about twenty years, Paul has volunteered countless hours at the parish, from training altar servers to helping with weddings and funerals to leading several faith groups. His children attended Lansing Catholic High School, where he was very involved. He ran a Bingo Team, was a member of the Cougar Club, and he kept the stats for the Lansing Catholic baseball team even after his children graduated.
Paul's service at Cristo Rey Community Center has been just as generous. In addition to his work at St. Thomas and Lansing Catholic, Paul has volunteered at Cristo Rey for the past six years. He has worked primarily in Cristo Rey's Community Kitchen, which provides hot breakfast and lunch to anyone who needs it. Paul has worked closely with St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Johns Student Center to organize volunteer groups at Cristo Rey, especially before 2020. The volunteers prepare food, distribute meals, and help maintain the community garden. One of Paul's most significant efforts at Cristo Rey is recruiting 150 volunteers from his parish to help with the Afghan Meal Program. These volunteers stayed after hours at Cristo Rey to serve meals to Afghan evacuees from October 2021 to March 2022. The evacuees lived in temporary housing with very limited (often nonexistent) kitchen facilities, so this meal program was their primary means of receiving nutritious food until they received permanent housing. We served approximately 18,000 meals, thanks to Paul's volunteer recruitment efforts. In addition to recruiting volunteers, Paul spent everyday shopping and working in the kitchen.
Paul Charette's commitment to recruiting/organizing volunteers at Cristo Rey Community Center and his church is remarkable. His generous heart truly speaks to the spirit of giving that Cristo Rey strives to encompass: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). He is an inspiration for many to volunteer and help our neighbors who need assistance in the Lansing community, which is evident by the high number of volunteers he has been able to recruit.
Paul Charette's service is unique because of how consistent his efforts are. Year after year, Paul never ceases to spread the word about and inspire others to help fulfill a community need, no matter how significant or sudden. His seeds of support have blossomed into fruitful projects at Cristo Rey that have touched the lives of many. We are grateful for Paul Charette's generosity and want him to receive the recognition he deserves.
Paul Charrette
Lansing
Hero Story
Paul Charette has always had a generous heart. Paul and his wife Cindy have been members of the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish since 2000. For about twenty years, Paul has volunteered countless hours at the parish, from training altar servers to helping with weddings and funerals to leading several faith groups. His children attended Lansing Catholic High School, where he was very involved. He ran a Bingo Team, was a member of the Cougar Club, and he kept the stats for the Lansing Catholic baseball team even after his children graduated.
Paul's service at Cristo Rey Community Center has been just as generous. In addition to his work at St. Thomas and Lansing Catholic, Paul has volunteered at Cristo Rey for the past six years. He has worked primarily in Cristo Rey's Community Kitchen, which provides hot breakfast and lunch to anyone who needs it. Paul has worked closely with St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Johns Student Center to organize volunteer groups at Cristo Rey, especially before 2020. The volunteers prepare food, distribute meals, and help maintain the community garden. One of Paul's most significant efforts at Cristo Rey is recruiting 150 volunteers from his parish to help with the Afghan Meal Program. These volunteers stayed after hours at Cristo Rey to serve meals to Afghan evacuees from October 2021 to March 2022. The evacuees lived in temporary housing with very limited (often nonexistent) kitchen facilities, so this meal program was their primary means of receiving nutritious food until they received permanent housing. We served approximately 18,000 meals, thanks to Paul's volunteer recruitment efforts. In addition to recruiting volunteers, Paul spent everyday shopping and working in the kitchen.
Paul Charette's commitment to recruiting/organizing volunteers at Cristo Rey Community Center and his church is remarkable. His generous heart truly speaks to the spirit of giving that Cristo Rey strives to encompass: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). He is an inspiration for many to volunteer and help our neighbors who need assistance in the Lansing community, which is evident by the high number of volunteers he has been able to recruit.
Paul Charette's service is unique because of how consistent his efforts are. Year after year, Paul never ceases to spread the word about and inspire others to help fulfill a community need, no matter how significant or sudden. His seeds of support have blossomed into fruitful projects at Cristo Rey that have touched the lives of many. We are grateful for Paul Charette's generosity and want him to receive the recognition he deserves.