Mary is the kind of person who loves doing sweet things, surprising people, and having a good laugh, so she couldn’t wait for her friend to see what she had left on her front porch.

Mary had been wanting to do this for a long time. She herself was a 1970 graduate of a Catholic high school in the Saginaw Diocese, and her three grown sons had attended a Saginaw Catholic elementary school as well, for which she was very grateful.

Mary waited a couple hours until she thought her friend, also named Mary, would be home, and then gave her a call, simply saying, “Can I stop by in a little while?”

The two Marys had both graduated from Catholic high schools in 1970. They attended rival VPL schools, but that didn’t seem to matter when it came to getting together and having a great time at high school gatherings and events.

As she drove to her friend’s house, Mary smiled to herself, thinking about the lovely surprise she had planned. She knew her friend would know exactly what to do with the surprise.

Meanwhile, the friend was eyeing the heavy box with curiosity, saying to her husband, “What do you think Mary is up to this time?”

Mary rang her friend’s doorbell and stood there in anticipation. Her friend answered the door, gave Mary a hug, and said, “So what’s in the box?” After all, her friend had just given her a very unique birthday gift, a clever little gadget that turned her toilet all different colors anytime someone flushed it it in the evening; a gift her grandsons thoroughly enjoyed!

Mary said, “Let’s go in and sit down. I want to share something with you.”

Mary began to explain that despite all the success with her business the last couple decades, there had been a time when her sons were young and her husband was having health issues, and the family was struggling. It was difficult to purchase schools supplies her sons needed, not to mention school clothes and shoes.

“I got by,” Mary said. “Yet, I remember there were those who helped me out at the time, in answer to my prayers. I never forgot this, and now I want to give back, for I am sure there are parents out there struggling right now too.”

This time, the two friends looked at each other knowingly, and Mary said, “Let’s go see what’s in the box.”


As the box was opened, Mary proceeded to tell her friend how much fun she had ordering all kinds of school supplies for younger and older children! She had spent $300 and purchased backpacks, pens and pencils, rulers, protractors, pencil cases, colored markers, highlighters, etc.

“And now,” Mary said, “I want you to ask your daughter to find a place where children need and could really use these supplies!”
After Mary left, her friend laid out the supplies all over their dining room. They were beautiful and given with so much heart they brought tears to her friend’s eyes.

Mary put in a call to her daughter, then said a quick prayer to Our Lady that they find a good home for the wonderful items.

It was recommended the supplies go to St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School, and an email was sent to the principal at the school, who said, “I will take them and they will be a tremendous help!”

Mary’s friend prayerfully decided to buy a little cabinet of drawers, label it, and name it “Mary’s School Supplies Closet” - in honor of her friend Mary and the Blessed Mother.

Together, the two Marys found a wonderful little white set of drawers on wheels at a local store that would hold all the supplies. Each drawer was labeled and on top was a beautiful picture of Mary with a sign: “Mary’s School Supplies Closet.”

The items were given to Krista Willertz, the school principal, and a few days later a lovely email and photo showed several Saint Elizabeth’s teachers by the little school supplies closet.

As Krista wrote, “Now, when the St. Elizabeth teachers see a child who is without, they can just go quietly to Mary’s Closet and get what that child might need at the time.” Similar to those who quietly helped Mary’s three boys with their needs over 30 years ago.

Update:
Krista reports that "Since receiving the supplies, several people have added to Mary’s School Supply Closet in the last few weeks, and many students have already benefitted from Mary’s generous donation, including one little Kindergarten girl whose backpack was ruined by cat urine.  Her teacher simply went to Mary’s Closet and provided her with a fresh, new backpack that same day. So beautiful!”