Prep Talk
Hermits Helping Homeless Club Spreads Holiday Cheer through Service
Posted January 8th, 2023
St. Augustine Prep Students Collaborate with “CORE Women’s Network” to Give Back to the Homeless
Special to Prep News by Hermits Parent INEZ BARBERIO P’24 (Originally featured in NJ Lifestyle Magazine)
As the festivities of the holiday season bestows upon us, students from “Hermits Helping Homeless,” a school club created by St. Augustine Prep students Matteo Barberio ’24 and Santino Casale ’24 joined forces with “CORE Women’s Network” to gather and collect blanket donations for the homeless population of Atlantic City.
Pictured left to right are Christopher Clayton ’23, Matteo Barberio ’24, Santino Casale ’24, and Vincent Polistina ’23 – all members of the Hermits Helping Homeless leadership club at St. Augustine Prep.
“CORE Women’s Network” hosted its third annual event to bring women of the community together to network, share ideas, and build new friendships. This year, founder Inez Barberio recognized Lisa Bee of “Angels in Motion” for her efforts and dedication to the homeless. Lisa Bee spoke to the guests with heart and passion while educating everyone about the struggles of the homeless population and took away the stigmas that so many have upon them.
“This was my first time hosting my event in December. It was extra special to be able to collaborate with my son’s club and honor Lisa Bee with such a noble cause. I love bringing strong women together and focus on similarities to strengthen us. So many women use the hashtag #womenempoweringwomen on social media. I like to go a step further and actually take action and be more than a hashtag. I feel that my “CORE Women’s Network” accomplishes that,” Inez explained.
As the all-female guests gathered in newfound friendships, the evening ended with a special celebrity guest appearance. Christopher Macchio, opera singer of “The New York Tenors” delighted everyone with his amazing voice singing the songs “Oh Holy Night” and “Nessun Dorma.”
More than 100 blankets were collected along with hats, gloves, and scarves. Additional donations are being accepted through “Angels in Motion.”
Servant Leadership never goes on break for the Brotherhood. Hermits Helping Homeless club co-presidents, Matteo Barberio and Santino Casale collaborated during the summer to continue assisting the homeless in the region.
Servant Leadership at St. Augustine Prep
The “Hermits Helping Homeless” club is one of many leadership opportunities at St. Augustine Prep. Student leaders Matteo Barberio and Santino Casale embody the spirit of servant leadership that has become the hallmark of a Prep student. To learn more about the co-curricular program and student life at St. Augustine Prep, visit hermits.com/studentlife.
Matteo Barberio ’24 (pictured second from right) joins his classmates during a Hermits Helping Homeless meeting during Community Time. In this instance, the club was building meal kits that were later delivered to Angels in Motion – Atlantic City to assist the region’s homeless.