go zags.

If you’re anything like the Zag fans at Catholic Charities, you spent the first half of Thanksgiving week watching the Bulldogs dominate the field at the Maui Invitational to bring home the champions’ trophy (and end Duke’s 18-0 winning streak). Then, when the Spokesman-Review front page announced the Zags climbed to the top of the AP and USA Today rankings, you cut it out and tacked it to the break room bulletin board.

Part of our mission at Catholic Charities Eastern Washington is to serve our community in collaboration with parishes and community partners. It takes all of us working together every day to help families and communities thrive in Eastern Washington.

Our supporters in the Gonzaga community, including the University and Prep, have long been steadfast partners. We knew they were #1 long before the AP and USA Today caught on.

We Value our Partnership with the Gonzaga Community

What does a strong community partnership look like? It begins with the foundation of a shared desire to serve and support our most vulnerable neighbors, a bedrock value we share with the Gonzaga community.

It takes shape when students, professors, families and alumni of Gonzaga University spend decades creating a culture of service that is passed down student-to-student. When seniors and juniors volunteer with us, they bring along sophomores and first years who don’t have cars or aren’t familiar with Spokane.

Community partnerships are deepened when the Bulldog athletic department and teams bring a literal truckload of candy to hand out at our annual Trunk or Treat event for community members and families at St. Anne’s Children & Family Center and St. Margaret’s Shelter.

At Prep, the value of partnership with Catholic Charities takes root early in students’ academic career through extracurricular activities that support our programs. The Junior Board was inaugurated by Prep students. They comprise the majority of this citywide group that supports high school students in practicing volunteerism and becoming leaders.

Year-round, Prep students give life to our partnership by participating in our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and service days across our programs.

Prep students serving lunch at the House of Charity.

Let’s Partner to Create Hope in Eastern Washington

On the hardwood last week, Gonzaga came out on top because of teamwork. Likewise on Catholic Charities’ home court in Eastern Washington, we are working to achieve our vision alongside partners in our community.

Through more than a dozen innovative programs, Catholic Charities is building an Eastern Washington where every belly is full, every person is housed, and every heart is hopeful.

Would you like to join us? Check out our volunteer page or email volunteer@ccspokane.org for information about other ways to get involved.

P.S. Here are 11 reasons why Gonzaga's Cinderella status is ancient history.