Love continues to pour in for the nuns of a San Antonio school. A local organization is making two massive gifts to the school’s campus after the sisters gained national attention for their presence at several Spurs games.
The Harvey E. Najim Charitable Foundation –– which aims to provide children with food, shelter, clothing and education through funding –– announced a heartwarming donation to the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco on Thursday, June 4, in a Facebook post. You probably know them online as the “Spurs nuns.”
Students in grades 3K through 8 will soon enjoy a brand-new playground and a new bus, thanks to the nonprofit. The Sisters said online that the business learned of their campus’s need and immediately stepped up, committing to making it happen.
“Your support is making a lasting difference in the lives of our children,” reads a post from the nuns.
According to its website, the foundation provides thousands of dollars in grants to those seeking to help kids facing homelessness and mental health challenges, among other purposes. In recent years, it’s helped distribute Thanksgiving meals to families and supported the expansion of the University of Texas at San Antonio’s career and innovation centers.
“While our normal funding guidelines provide support for Catholic schools through Hope for the Future, we felt compelled to make a one-time exception for St. John Bosco School,” Bauman told MySA. “The need for a new bus and playground presented an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children served by the Salesian Sisters and the school, and we are proud to support their mission through this special gift.”
The elementary campus is on the city’s Westside, near Cuellar Park. It was founded in 1940 and features a Child Development Center serving children ages 6 weeks to 4 years. Texans have since expressed support for the act, with one resident, Elsa Lopez, writing that it’s “beautiful” that kindness and charity are defining features of San Antonio’s culture.
“Our Spurs have always been unique in their support for their community … They exemplify a basis of respect and integrity that is rooted in our values as a people of faith,” Lopez said in a comment.
Other brands have shown support for the Sisters during the Spurs’ playoff run. San Antonio Shoemakers (SAS) gave several pairs of its black-and-gray Tour Mesh athletic sneakers to the women earlier this week. The nuns wore them to Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday. Earlier, Southwest Airlines offered the group free flights if they wanted to catch the NBA matchup against the OKC Thunder in June.
Some fans regard the Sisters as a lucky charm.Â
“Every time they show up, blessings AND buckets follow. Coincidence? We think not,” the Harvey E. Najim Charitable Foundation said online. “Let’s go get that championship, San Antonio!”
According to their website, the nuns are Christians dedicated to serving young people, the poor and women at risk. They have gone viral several times after sharing videos of themselves watching the Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals and have supported the players for over two decades. They continued to gain national fame after one sister blessed Spurs teammate Luke Kornet before he took the court in Game 4 against the OKC Thunder.