Baby Bottle Benefit Drive Saves Lives

Mount Royal Academy’s Admissions Director and theology teacher, Matt McMenaman, recently presented a $500.00 check to Anne Burge of Pregnancy Center of the Upper Valley. It was the culmination of a “baby bottle benefit” fundraiser that took place at the school during the spring. The campaign was led by high school student, Aila Wenger (’18). Dozens of baby bottles were passed out to students and families who then filled them with spare change and returned them to the school.

The Pregnancy Center of the Upper Valley offers the resources and information needed when facing decisions around unexpected pregnancy. Baby clothing, diapers, parenting and relationship skills, as well as support and encouragement, are the primary services provided by the center. All services provided are totally free of charge. The center receives no government funding and relies 100% on donations. The Pregnancy Center of the Upper Valley operates from two locations in New Hampshire, West Lebanon and Claremont.

“The new mothers and their babies greatly benefit from these services. One vital aspect of our mission as a school is to encourage our students to reach out to those in need,” said Matt McMenaman. “The great work being done by this pregnancy center is a real world witness to what we teach.”

All students at Mount Royal are continually called to serve one another in the classroom, while at the same time contributing to other service projects for the sake of the entire school. Students in the high school are expected to complete a minimum number of service hours per year as they compile a service portfolio as part of their graduation requirement. The Newport Senior Center, Summercrest Senior Living Center, and the LISTEN Community Service Center are among other local places that students have volunteered. Mount Royal Academy is poised to receive students in Pre-K through 12th grade on September 5th for the 23rd consecutive year.