Mission Drive Launch

Beginning today, March 29, Jesuit High School's director of community service, Andy Wood '92, is launching Mission Drive 2021!

One of the school's great annual traditions dating back to the 1930s, the Mission Drive has been a means for Jesuit students across generations to help thousands of people in need. In recent years that has meant reaching children in need in locales such as Belize, Colombia, Nicaragua, and El Paso, Texas. This year's beneficiary is a familiar one to many Jesuit students in the service club Agmen Christi: the children of Belle Glade and their local parish, St. Philip Benizi.

The five-week Mission Drive will culminate on Friday, April 23 with what is sure to be a spirited Mission Drive Day. Last year, Jesuit was unable to hold Mission Drive Day as the school was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mission Drive Day typically includes a spectacular morning music concert followed by games, activities, food, and various competitions.

Wood launched the 2021 Mission Drive this morning at Convocation. He set a goal of $10,000 raised for St. Philip Benizi. Click here of scroll down to view video of Wood's Convocation.

Last year, with the entire school participating in virtual learning, the Mission Drive pivoted to an online format. And despite the tremendous uncertainty at that time, Jesuit's students, families and supporters answered the call to help our neighbors in need, raising more than $10,000 for Feeding Tampa Bay, helping the hungry in our community and making an impact close to home.

Belle Glade is an impoverished migrant community on the southern edge of Lake Okeechobee. For many years, the Jesuit service club Agmen Christi has visited and served the people of Belle Glade and St. Philip Benizi several times annually.

The Mission Drive raises money via weekly homeroom collections that are supplemented by Mission Drive Day funds from small fees associated with participation in video game competitions, ultimate frisbee, bocce, basketball, and much more, as well as food sales. Math teacher April Bombka has been a Mission Drive force, generating $1,000 in food sales during the drive on multiple occasions.

Questions please email Coach Wood at ajwood@jesuittampa.org. Thank you for your support!