As the end of the school year approaches, Bishop Stang juniors and seniors have been pitching in in community service efforts. One of several that happened over the weekend was the Heart Walk Book Drive in support of the American Heart Association.

Spearheaded by Stang mathematics teacher Colleen Silva, students and faculty teamed up to raise $1,050 in support of the organization, selling donated books, CDs, DVDs, and even VHS tapes. The Bishop Stang cafeteria tables were covered from one end to the other in donated goods.

All the proceeds from the event were donated in the memory of Richard Flynn, a former Bishop Stang teacher, and Joseph Silva, Colleen's late husband.

"I will be taking part in the HeartWalk at UMass Dartmouth this May also in their honor," Silva said.

The event was done as a part of the annual F.I.A.T. project, where students and faculty come together to support a cause through community service. “Fiat” refers to Mary’s answer to the angel Gabriel when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you have said.” Bishop Stang uses F.I.A.T. as an acronym for Faith In Action Together, according to Kathy Ruginis, Assistant Principal of Academics at Bishop Stang and FIAT Co-Director. Students then write a reflection paper about their experiences.

According to Silva, only eight students signed up for F.I.A.T. credit, however. The rest of the students involved simply wanted to donate their time to the event, carrying boxes and helping to sort books.