BIDDEFORD — Every day teachers at St. James School in Biddeford strive to emphasize to students that giving back to their community is important and on Friday, that philosophy was clearly demonstrated through an unselfish donation to a good cause.

As the entire student body looked on, St. James Principal Nancy Naimey presented a check to the city of Biddeford to be used for the restoration project of the Biddeford Clock Tower.   

Naimey said that in honor of the school’s 25th anniversary celebration, students, faculty and staff raised $400 through a “Casual for a Cause” day and chose to make the donation to restoring the city’s clock tower.

“We know it’s a drop in the bucket, but we look at this as a symbolic gesture,” Naimey told Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant and City Councilor Stephen St. Cyr, who represented the city in accepting a check from the students at the school.

Naimey said it shows the level of commitment that St. James students have to the community.

“About 50 percent of our students come from Biddeford and another 25 percent are from Saco,” she said. “It shows we are a part of this community and want to be good community members. It sets an example that being part of the community implies a sense of giving back and that’s significant.”

Casavant said he was impressed that the students chose the clock tower restoration for their donation.

“It’s pretty symbolic,” Casavant said. “It’s very impressive and shows an awareness of this issue.”

The mayor told the students that the clock tower was built in 1896 and was designed by prominent Maine architect John Calvin Stevens. 

He said the clock tower is one of Biddeford’s most recognizable civic landmarks and although it has deteroriated over time and exposure to the elements, eventually it will be restored to its former glory.

“It really defines who we are as a community,” Casavant said. “We’re very grateful for this donation and the school’s commitment to being a strong partner in this community.”