SFIC celebrates Christmas in culmination of 40th anniversary year
Christmas came early at Newark’s St. Michael School when the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC), a partner of the Archdiocese of Newark, hosted its annual Christmas Breakfast on December 6.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, joined SFIC donors, staff, and scholarship recipients for a hearty meal inside the school’s festively decorated gym. When they were finished, Cardinal Tobin answered questions from students in grades 2-6, who asked about his favorite Christmas traditions and other holiday topics. Many children also performed song-and-dance numbers set to classic carols like “Feliz Navidad.” Afterward, SFIC Chairman Joseph J. Hughes presented each boy and girl with a special gift on the fund’s behalf.
“The Christmas Breakfast is one of our oldest and most beloved traditions — people look forward to it all year,” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, SFIC’s Chief Executive Officer. “It’s a chance for us to thank our donors for supporting our mission of helping children get a quality education. Plus, it’s just a fun time for everyone. It’s always cute to see the students sing and dance.”
This year’s Christmas Breakfast was particularly special because it marked the conclusion of SFIC’s 40th anniversary year. Since launching in 1983, the fund has given out more than $51.2 million worth of partial tuition assistance scholarships to over 60,000 children attending archdiocesan Catholic schools. This year alone saw SFIC distribute more than $3 million across 2,000 scholarships — breaking its all-time record in the process.
To learn more about SFIC and its scholarships, visit www.sficnj.org.
Photos courtesy of the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children
Featured image: Young students of St. Michael School in Newark sing and dance during the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children’s annual Christmas Breakfast on December 6, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children)
