Community Service

The BSHS Community Service Corps (CSC) serves the Shanahan and Chester County communities throughout the school year with various service projects. It is a club that thoroughly embodies "People of God; People for Others," while also being a great way for students to make new friends. One large annual project that they manage each year is The Christmas Child Program in partnership with St. Agnes Parish. Through this program, each homeroom purchases gifts for a child in need, and CSC wraps the gifts and helps with distribution. 

The Easter Basket partnership with Partners in Outreach is another main project through which children in need receive special treats and much needed gifts. CSC also visits residents at the local nursing home in Downingtown, St. Martha's Manor, and helps each year with the special performance of Shanahan's musical that is for people with special needs. On Saturdays in the spring and fall, CSC members also assist with the Challenger Soccer League, assisting children with special needs.  

Additionally, each month CSC manages a collection among the student body through which homerooms may donate socks, winter clothing, peanut butter and jelly, etc. for The Lord's Pantry in Downingtown. 

Each week, the Theology Department of Bishop Shanahan High School identifies a Catholic, non-profit organization that would greatly benefit from the generosity of our students and their families. These have included agencies such as Catholic Charities Philadelphia, Birthright, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, and many more. 

This weekly opportunity helps our students to understand that there are many ways that we can be “People of God; People for the Others.” Jesus Christ himself encourages us to consider: “'For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; a stranger, and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36). 

All clubs, sports teams and activities at BSHS dedicate themselves during the school year or their particular season to serving the community. At BSHS, we recognize that charity is at the heart of all that we do, and that service projects are also a wonderful, joyful way to build teamwork and camaraderie. From assisting at large scale food drives to entertaining at Veteran Centers to playing in the Valor Bowl, these projects and efforts come in all shapes and sizes!

Each year, BSHS holds a Thanksgiving Drive to collect non-perishable side dishes, as well as turkeys. The donations are packaged into large gift baskets for local Chester County families in need. In 2020, BSHS students delivered Thanksgiving meals to more than 55 area families in need.