DETROIT – No sooner had Larry Griffin reviewed the results of the first Champions of Charity clothing drive that he issued a challenge to Catholic high schools for next year: “Our goal will be 40,000 pounds!”

Griffin is the director of Resource Solicitation for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in southeastern Michigan.

Vic Michaels, director of the 25-member Catholic High School League, accepted Griffin’s proposal to partner on a one-week drive for clothing and shoes to help the Society’s mission of serving individuals in need.

Both were thrilled with the response: 31,000 pounds. The top three schools were Riverview Gabriel Richard, a total of 6,160 pounds; Dearborn Divine Child, 4,560 pounds; and Warren De La Salle, 3,380 pounds.

“I am privileged to be the director of the greatest group of students and administrators possible,” Michaels said. “The fact that they brought in over 31,000 pounds of clothing in one week helps to reaffirm the CHSL motto, ‘More than Good Sports … Good People.’”

“The excitement and response to this program was overwhelming” Griffin said.

“Seeing the storage container from Riverview Gabriel Richard -- jammed beyond capacity -- was a sight to behold. And having Dearborn Divine Child present us, not only with over 4,000 pounds of clothing but a check for $1,500 as well, just showed the amount of passion that was put into this program.”

Gabriel Richard received the first Champions of Charity trophy at the Prep Bowl, which they will keep until October 2016, and a T-shirt was handed out to students and staff at a rousing reception.

A nod must given to Premier Relocations/Corrigan Van Lines for making the portable units available, dropping them off, picking them up and weighing the containers.