Incarnation-St. James Catholic school and parish community collected more than $5,000 in gift cards for victims of the March 4 gas explosion in Ewing’s South Fork neighborhood.
Ewing Township business administrator James McManimon, a member of ISJ class of 1972, accepted the donation on behalf of Mayor Bert Steinmann June 23.
The gift card fundraising effort, which began in March, was conducted both in the school and through solicitations in the parish weekly bulletin. Many families and parishioners participated, as well as the local community, including funds raised through a bus trip organized by former Ewing Mayor Jack Ball.
ISJ School principal Sister Francis Michael, who helped to organize the collection, said she was delighted to help the community, which supported the school when it was on the brink of closure in 2010.
“The local community responded with an amazing outpouring of help and support, keeping our school open as a beacon of hope” Sister Michael said in a statement, “we are delighted to play a part now in helping to share that hope with families affected by the South Fork explosion.”
Incarnation-St. James School, a co-educational Catholic elementary school accredited by AdvancED, has been an integral part of Ewing Township and its surrounding communities since 1955.
More information is online at isjschool.org.

Incarnation-St. James Catholic School students help principal Sister Francis Michael, ISJ pastor Father Santhosh George present a donation to Ewing Township business administrator James McManimon, with ISJ School Advancement committee member Sandy Stewart June 23, 2014.,