b'Gracie Reeder first contactedthe Marianists at OLN in 2019.PHOTO: TARA LONGMostly, Gracie remembers it as intimidating. Ask- learn. Service projects teach kids how to work as aing people for money, knowing they may turn me team, says Gail. Thats what Gracies project did.down, was one of the most difficult things I have ever The whole schoolthe teachers, students and parentsdone. The whole thing made me nervous, she says. and the parish got involved. Service projectsBut just when she thought the fear of rejection was stretch our hearts, and hearts of compassion canher biggest worry, last March the COVID-19 reared its make big things happen.PHOTO COURTESY OF THE REGION OF EASTERN AFRICAugly head, shutting down the school and parish. Graciewondered if she would ever accomplish her goal.Shoot for the starsWith the help of her familyWhen things dont go according to planand others at Little Flower,Dear Brother Joseph: I have some good news and Gracie, now a freshmanbad news. The good news is that we have raised more at Sacred Heart-Griffin inthan $800 for the restroomsthe bad newsno doubt Springfield, reached heryou have heard about the coronavirusbasically, fundraising goal in Junewe are in lockdown to stop the spread of the virus, and mailed a check forwrote Gracie in March last year. I do think we will $2,500 to the Marianistmake it closer to our goal, though. Mission to fund the OLNOne of Gracies finer qualities is her dogged deter- project. While schools inmination. She always has been persistent and very Nairobi were shut down until October because of The girls restrooms at OLN,compassionate, says her dad. So, while the global COVID-19, OLN intends to complete the restrooms scheduled for replacement thispandemic wreaked havoc on the entire world, Gracie this year. year, thanks to the Little FlowerSchool fundraiser now quarantined at home with her younger sisters, Gracie has some advice for anyone thinking aboutAnna and Caitlyn, her mom, Joan, her dad and her launching a service project. Dont be afraid to setAunt Gailwasnt about to give up. your goals a little higher than you normally would,Besides, this project was in bigger hands. Gracie she says. I was surprised by how much money webelieves that if God can use her to do something, she raised and that so many kids stepped up to help.is open to the calling, says her Aunt Gail, who teaches Dont be afraid to step outside your comfort zoneat Little Flower. and brainstorm ideas even the ones that mightTrusting God and creatively overcoming obstacles seem unrealisticand set them in motion. Mostly,were just some of the lessons she was beginning to just dont be afraid.Interested in supporting Marianist ministries? Visit marianist.com/mission or call 800.348.4732.marianist.com/donate 13'