Church program partners faith, altruism

St. Joachim Church in Costa Mesa focuses on five topics during its annual Vacation Bible School: sharing, giving, growing, love and praise.

All of these were on display as volunteers, children and parents celebrated the conclusion of the weeklong program at the church’s Nevin Hall on Friday morning.

Encouraging children and parents to donate food and other essential items throughout the week, St. Joachim partnered with Share Our Selves, a faith-based nonprofit in Orange County serving those in need. The organization collected the donations Friday.

The church’s program featured 75 volunteers and 131 kids ranging from the ages of 4 to 10. With Friday’s culmination of the weeklong camp called “Rainforest Adventure,” many were able to reflect on the program and its impact.

“It teaches them how to live their faith in their everyday lives: in their family and in their community,” Father Stephen Doktorczyk said.

“It’s a way of bringing the community together and getting the kids to learn about their faith,” Kathy Lewis, the church’s faith formation director, said.

A number of children on hand also expressed their enthusiasm for the camp and its benefits.

“I had lots of fun,” Vincent Rubino, 8, said. “I learned to help other people, and I want to do it again next year.”

“It rocked,” Olivia Cox, 7, said. “It was really fun. It was great that everybody donated.”