Give One For All (GOFA) is an exciting celebration at Mayo High School that students eagerly anticipate each year. This lively event brings the entire community together to honor friendship and unity during the brightest month of the year. GOFA is not just a fun school event; it is a valuable opportunity to learn how to give selflessly for the benefit of others. We practice our ability to sacrifice our time, effort, and money so that others may have better lives. Beyond that, GOFA activities help us to forge lasting connections among students, teachers, and staff, fostering a genuine sense of belonging and collaboration within our school and the community of Rochester.
As participants showcase their products and fun outfits, they embody the core value of giving, instilling pride in our shared mission to raise money for the Dorothy Day House and the Women’s Shelter in Rochester, Minnesota. According to Macyn Hayft, a graduate of Mayo High School, “The Dorothy Day House has been providing hospitality to homeless residents in Rochester for 38 years. The house is open daily from 4 PM to 9 AM, offering laundry facilities and serving dinner, coffee, and snacks. It is named after Catholic journalist Dorothy Day, who advocated for feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.”
Mayo High School is not the only high school in Rochester, involved in generous efforts to support the community. John Marshall High School and Century High School also actively contribute to the Dorothy Day House, a local shelter that aids individuals experiencing homelessness and domestic abuse By fostering a spirit of generosity and compassion among their students, these schools are making a meaningful impact on the lives of many in the Rochester community.
In Rochester, we see a beautiful connection between our educators and youth, all ingrained in the act of empathetic generosity. This spirit of kindness is not just a practice; it’s a vital part of the tradition that shapes our community and strengthens our bonds with the less fortunate. Together, we nurture this sense of belonging and support in the lives of everyone here in Rochester.
