By J1 Reporter Mary McKay

Every Marian girl dreads even the thought of a C-day, so why are students still running short for the peanut butter and jelly drive? If Marian, as a school, reaches its goal, not only do students get to skip a C-day in February, but they also get a day off courtesy of Principal Mrs. Susie Sullivan. Although a day off is undoubtedly rewarding, students must also remember the actual reason for Operation Others in the first place. 

Mr. Mark Koesters, Marian Operation Others moderator (for 15-20 years now), has inspired the student body and faculty to meet its goal with persistent emails reminding the community to bring in jars. Koesters defines OO as “a group of students from all eight Catholic high schools in Omaha. And its purpose is to feed families over the holidays; it feeds about 1,500.” 

Years ago, each Catholic high school, including Marian, Creighton Prep, Gross, Mount Michael, Skutt, Mercy, Duchesne and Roncalli, was assigned a particular item to bring in, whether it be cans of vegetables, boxed foods, peanut butter and jelly, etc. That was decided by the Operation Others committee centralized at Creighton Prep. Marian was assigned to bring in boxed foods but switched to peanut butter and jelly. As of Wednesday, Nov. 8, Marian had brought in around 510 jars. 

Koesters persistently cheered the community on with his emails. Koesters held out hope because, in past years, Marian has generally met the goal (except for one year with the goal of 2,500). 

Koesters said, “Several times, a parent has brought in 200 or so…This year, no one has initially come forward with that huge amount.”  That has since changed.

As of Wednesday, Nov. 15, Koesters’s 8:57 a.m. email said only 175 jars were still needed to meet the goal. With the drive ending Friday, Nov. 17, hopes are high. Mr. Koesters had one final remark: “Bring in peanut butter and jelly!”