Pictured, from left, are Junie Eimiller, B.E. Strong 716 founder; Mark Grice and Lisa Snyder, St. James Catechism teachers. Submitted photo

When students in the Faith Formation Program at St. James Parish began raising money for a local cause this past fall, they had no idea where the funds would be donated.

They simply wanted to give.

Each week from September through April, the kids-ages Pre-K through 10th grade- would bring in loose change and drop it into the plastic bear jugs in each of the classrooms.

At the end of the year, all of the classes combined the money and as a group decided where they wanted it to go.

The Catechists who teach the kids have been doing this for the past ten years: Along the way, they have given to many: St. Susan’s Soup Kitchen, Agnes Home, a family in need after a house fire, and Rosie’s Run-just to name a few.

This year, after Program Director Lisa Snyder worked at the new charity B.E. Strong 716’s second annual Italian Dinner and saw all of the people and causes that it has helped, she and Mark Grice, her fiance and 7th & 8th grade Catechist, brought up the nonprofit to the kids.

B.E. Strong 716 is an official 501(C)3 founded in October of 2021 by Junie Eimiller to honor her late son Bannon Eimiller, after he lost his life in a tragic accident on Mother’s Day of 2021.

It has two missions: to make the 716 community stronger-one donation at a time-by giving to people and causes that would have mattered to Bannon and to help others who are grieving.

“This year, I worked at the benefit and saw the wonderful things B.E. Strong 716 does for the community,” explains Snyder. “She [Eimiller] turned tragedy into something beautiful for others.”

Once the students made the collective decision to donate the money to this charity, Grice decided to match the kids’ funds because, according to Snyder, “all were aware of the great things that B.E. Strong 716 has been doing; and when he told his students about his match, they wanted to give even more.”

After that, the desire to contribute became contagious: “I have wonderful volunteer Catechists who teach each grade,” says Snyder. “They encouraged their classes to bring in donations, but ultimately the kids made this happen.”

“We did not do it for anything other than we ‘B.E.lieve’ in what this charity is doing,” says Grice, “and we will support it in any way we can.”

Collectively, the group raised a total of $1,550.

“When Lisa told me that they selected B.E. Strong 716, I was so extremely touched. Bannon loved kids and was always one himself at heart,” explains Eimiller. “Growing up on the North side of Jamestown, he was always connecting with other adolescents. From birthday parties with the little guy next door to acting like a big brother to the boy across the street to mentoring his special friend Seth in his later years, Bannon had a huge heart for youngsters. That’s what makes this donation extra special-because it’s from local kids. He would love this.”

According to Eimiller, this gift goes beyond just giving: “I am so very thankful to Mark, Lisa, the teachers, and the students for choosing our charity. Heartwarming moments like these are what keep me going and strengthen my faith in the goodness of others … especially our local youth. No doubt, Bannon is smiling down on us.”

More information about B.E. Strong 716, and their donations, can be found on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/716bestrong and their website bestrong716. org