An angel (Michael Brown) with a young charge.

December 29, 2008. Washington, DC. In the true spirit of the season of Advent, a group of high school students were “Angels for a Day” for children in need in the Washington DC area.

For the fifth year in a row, the Young Men’s Leadership Team gave a little of themselves to underprivileged children and their families at a special event designed to offer the Christmas spirit to those who might not otherwise experience it.  The event took place on at the Pryzbyla Center on the campus of the Catholic University of America In Washington D.C. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008. About 40 high schoolers (boys and girls) and a group of generous moms helped entertain nearly 500 children from area schools. 

The children enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of games, candy canes (with small notes attached explaining their religious significance) and even a moon bounce.  There was a Secret Santa room

	Angel for a Day was sponsored by the Young Men's Apostolate Team in Washington, DC.

where about 1,000 toys were distributed.  Christmas carols were sung by the Best Friend girls and Best Friend men’s groups.  The group is a national inner-city program, founded and run by Elayne Bennett, the wife of author Bill Bennett, to promote abstinence and self respect. 

Father Michael Sliney, LC, who is involved with the young men’s apostolate, explained more about purpose of the event.  “Most of these families are poor, broken and extremely appreciative of this act of kindness.” he said. “The high school leaders raised close to $ 4,000 for this event and also spent an entire afternoon drawing a beautiful nativity background in which the inner city kids dressed up as Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus.   This was truly their event, and they were deeply touched by the gratitude and simplicity of these kids. “

A special guest, Bishop Martin D. Holley of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C.,

	Fr Michael Sliney with Bishop Martin Holley, two angels, and one Santa Claus.

was in attendance.  He said he is very proud of those who “gave so generously of their time and effort to provide such joy and hope to the young children in such uncertain economic times that we are experiencing today.”

“If not for only one day, the young people brought much satisfaction and many smiles to the faces of all who were present as they provided such a wonderful pre-Christmas celebration for those who were able to attend the celebration,” Bishop Holley said.  “They have provided a message of hope and inspiration for those who long to be reminded that Emmanuel -‘God is with us’ - at all times and provides for all our needs.

“I am very proud of these young men and women who are so dedicated to the Legionaries of Christ Leadership Program and who have provided this tremendous act of charity for families in need that live in the Washington DC area, and I commend them for their hard work and spirit of service,” he said.