(March 16, 2005 -- Rockville Centre, NY) – St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic School in Garden City’s Student Council worked diligently for several months collecting books for Mercy Medical Center’s recently updated Pediatric Unit.  The students were encouraged to pursue this project by Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Murphy. Dr. Murphy is Mercy’s Director of Emergency Services and his wife, Mrs. Marie Murphy, is President of the St. Joseph’s School Board.

Mercy’s Pediatric Unit hosted the St. Joseph’s Student Council, Principal Patricia Divine, Assistant Principal Mary Carmel Murphy and Student Council Moderators Irene Florio and Catherine Hock on January 26 in appreciation of their work and contribution.

According to 8th grader and Student Council President Michael Gamber and 5th grade representative Brynne Murphy, “The students enjoyed this project because it was different from many of the projects we have done in the past. We are used to doing bake sales; we never collected books before. We are happy we helped Mercy’s new Pediatric Unit open with books we collected.”

Ms. Florio added, “I’m proud that our students were so willing to help other children.”

Mercy is grateful to St. Joseph’s Student Council for their hard work and the time they dedicated to this effort. We know the children who stay in the Pediatric Unit will enjoy the books that were collected.

Media Contact: Diane O'Doherty at 516-705-2619