Hershey Students Honor Deacon with Good Samaritan Day

Students at St. Joan of Arc School in Hershey turned Friday into a celebration of kindness, proving that service to others can start at any age.

The school held its second annual Good Samaritan Day on March 6, bringing students together for hands-on service projects. Kids filled backpacks with essentials for people experiencing homelessness, made homemade dog treats, and collected blankets for Speranza Animal Rescue.

The special day honors the late Dr. Rod Mortel, a deacon at St. Joan of Arc who passed away in 2022. Before his death, Dr. Mortel founded the Mortel High Hopes for Haiti foundation, dedicating himself to improving lives both locally and globally.

By creating an annual day of service in his memory, the school ensures his legacy of compassion lives on. Each year, a new generation of students learns that helping others is something to celebrate, not just something to do.

The Ripple Effect

What makes Good Samaritan Day special isn't just the immediate help it provides. It's teaching young people that service can become a natural part of life, not an occasional obligation.

When students spend a school day packing backpacks and caring for animals, they learn that making a difference doesn't require wealth or fame. It requires showing up with willing hands and an open heart.

Dr. Mortel understood this deeply. His work with Haiti showed that one person's dedication could transform entire communities, and now his example is shaping how the next generation thinks about their role in the world.

The homeless individuals who receive those backpacks will get practical help they need. The rescue animals will feel cared for with treats and warm blankets. But perhaps the biggest impact is on the students themselves, who are learning that a life well-lived includes looking beyond yourself.

In a world that often feels divided, watching young people unite around service offers genuine hope for what's ahead.