While the students of Bethlehem Catholic participate in methods of charitable giving and devotions of philanthropy through an array of scenarios, the student-led club “The Movement” is at the forefront of such displays.

Originating in Summer 2018, the organization is committed to engaging the community in assisting charitable organizations locally. Notably, the chosen committee of student heads fully organizes and runs several events yearly to foster real applicable change in the world around them. From interacting with childhood illness with Sassy Massey Smiles to the homelessness epidemic with Starr, the panel of members works tirelessly to ensure they are sparking positive change for generations to come and leaving a positive light of Christ-like love in their trail.

Faculty leader Stephan Tomaszewski couldn’t be prouder of the students’ accomplishments thus far.

“Since its inception roughly half a decade ago, The Movement at Bethlehem Catholic has been community change-oriented,” he said. “This student-led philanthropic organization is devoted to and has created a legacy of community engagement, all based on self-sacrifice and service.

“Over the last five years, these dedicated students have raised tens of thousands of dollars for toys for children’s hospitals, spent countless hours giving back to those in need in the community, organizing clothing drives for the less fortunate, and honoring our veterans,” he continued. “Throughout the year, they commit to a myriad organizations, and by devoting themselves to others, have become role models for their fellow classmates.”

Change, especially for young men and women, can be increasingly challenging to foster. This group often aims to break this barrier by offering services in return for monetary compensation, in which they can donate. Specifically, part of this comes in the form of one major yearly event: The Lock-in.

Similar to a mini-Thon style event, the lock-in is a night full of fun, dancing, and games cultured by a fun twist; you’re locked in the school! Through recruiting sponsors and employing creative means of innovation the leadership gives both the gift of a night full of memories to students and monetary donations to causes close to their hearts.

As a proud co-president of the movement, I have witnessed that change starts small and sparks inspiration to spread that fire of love wide. Although currently we may only be able to affect the Lehigh Valley, it is our ultimate goal to set a standard for student philanthropy that spreads as our members graduate and embark on their lives across the country.

Past members represent our key ideals and continue to elicit transformations in major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Boston. Effective participation in all of our events, and especially the lock-in, is not limited to that of simply the Becahi student body or Movement board but serves as a call to the community as a whole.

(If you are interested in donating or becoming a sponsor to this year’s lock-in cause: The Sassy Massey Smile Foundation, please contact 24086@becahi.org or stomaszewski@becahi.org for more information.)

One central standard of the Movement committee is recognizing the potential for the positive we possess in our places of privilege. To be in a position to affect someone for the better is not one to be taken for granted.

“The movement is valuable to me because it has the ability to help our community,” explained co-president Jeremy Fyrer. “It’s incredibly heartwarming and rewarding to receive positive feedback about the work we’ve done for suicide prevention and for our veterans. It has the power to impact the community on a larger level and that’s why we do what we do.”

Today, we can be overwhelmed by reports in the media of hatred and division, of the horrible loss of life in war and mass shootings and the drastic increases in poverty. It is crucial to remember that among this suffering, advocacy for change still thrives, and you can be a part of it. Becahi and the members of The Movement have taken a bold stance in pushing change forward. Will you?