CFLSA

Social Justice Important

Because of a thoughtful gift by the Zappone family, students at Catholic Central High School [CCH] have more resources for their work in support of social justice. Following the death of Mirella Zappone in a car accident, her father, Joe, wanted to donate part of her estate to CCH for their project in Mexico. However, the school suggested that the money be placed In trust with the Lethbridge Community Foundation. "The school thought that would be a more efficient way of administering the funds and keeping the project going," explained Mirella's brother, Frank. So Joe started a Social Justice Endowment Fund in Mirella's memory with the Foundation.

Sadly, less than a year later Joe was diagnosed with cancer and he died in December 2005. "Since we already had the fund, we just kept building on it," said Frank. "Social justice was important to both Dad and Mirella, so it seemed logical to continue. We wanted to keep something going in their names — something they would have approved of and supported." According to Frank, his sister and father had similar interests in making the world a better place. Mirella had lived in Mexico for two years, where she experienced first hand the abject poverty, and upon her return chose to teach on a northern Indian reservation.

Their involvement with the Social Justice Fund has made the whole family much more aware of social needs. Frank's nephew attends CCH and his son starts soon, providing another opportunity for family involvement. Each Easter holiday, a group of CCH students travels to Mexico to learn more about its people and culture, and contribute to the community money they have raised throughout the year.

The family has also become more aware of the Foundation and what it can do. "We really didn't know much about the Foundation at first, but were impressed with how they worked with the school and us to fulfill our wishes."