The Altar Society at Holy Name of Mary Church in Proctorsville has an appreciation of the past and the future.

For more than 25 years members ran an antique show in Ludlow and used some of the proceeds to fund a scholarship for a parishioner in college. They asked applicants to write an essay about “what antiques mean to me.”

According to Carol Baranowski, Altar Society president, “We thought it would be nice to add the students to the list of people we could help.”

Even though the society has discontinued its antique show fundraiser, it still raises funds through other activities like bazaars, bake sales and yard sales.

The first scholarship in 2008 was for $500, but now $1,000 is awarded to help a parishioner pursue higher education.

Other recipients of the Altar Society’s generosity include Vermont Catholic Charities, teen shelters, a senior center and the parish.

—Originally published in the Winter 2020 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.