By: Nickool Castro St. John’s held its annual University Service Day (USD) on Sept. 24, marking its 15th anniversary. The USD usually takes place the third or fourth week of September during the Founder’s Week in remembrance of Saint Vicent DePaul, whose teachings emphasize respect for the individual, service to the needy, and human solidarity that deeply influences the University’s Vincentian Mission. Founder’s Week was established in 1995. Originally, it took place during January but since 2012 it has been held during the week of St. Vincent’s death on Sept.27. According to the St. John’s Office of Mission website, an average of over 2,000 volunteers serve over 100 locations throughout New York City annually. Undergraduates, graduates and alumni had the opportunity to serve the 5 boroughs. More than 65 locations were listed on SJU Mission Service website such as Silver Park Conservatory in Staten Island, St. Jude Walk at Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, St. Joseph Elementary School in the Bronx and Catholic Charities: Berry Streets in Brooklyn. After picking up their T-shirts that stated “What A Difference A Day Can Make,” students gathered and departed to their designated locations. This was the case of sophomore TV and Film major, Jole Colachagua. Colachagua volunteered with the Latin American Student Organization at St. Mary's Recreation Center in the Bronx under the program Kids Enjoy Exercises Now (KEEN). KEEN helps kids with disabilities by providing free, non-competitive one-to-one programs of exercise, fitness and fun, led by volunteer coaches. He was assigned a child named Omar, who he spent the day with. “This was my first experience having real contact with children with special needs,” Colachagua said, “Omar greeted me with his head tucked in his shirt, unwilling to say hi to me and my partner.” Colachagua explained that after taking Omar to the gym and playing with him, the child got comfortable and opened up more to him. “Omar went from not wanting to say hi to us, to letting me hold his hand, giving him piggy back rides, and giving high fives every time he was playing well,” the TV&Film major said. “It felt like I was playing with a little brother I always wanted, throwing him a baseball and watching him hit it,” the young sophomore said. “It was a great experience, and I hope Omar appreciated it as much as I did.” Cristina Villon was another student whose experience at KEEN was unforgettable. “My KEEN experience was something I will never forget,” Villon said. “There were times that I forgot AJ had disabilities because in my eyes, he was just like any kid who enjoys playing tag, cooking and making new friends.” “It’s knowing that you are making a kid’s day even by the simple actions,” The event committee associate said. “I will forever be thankful to AJ because he taught me you’re never too old to enjoy a game of tag.” Unlike Colachagua and Villon, Jose Galvan volunteered for a second time in a row in KEEN. “It fills my heart to make kids with special disabilities smile because it shows me to always be gracious for the blessed life I’ve been able to have,” Galvan said. “I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else.” Other organizations such as Theta Pi Alpha Sorority, Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc. and Lambda Phi Sorority, volunteered on Give Kids the World Village Card Making. Give Kids the World Village is a non- profit organization based in Florida that fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses. Around 27 volunteers gathered in D’Angelo Center Ballroom to make and write cards. Grace Prunella, a senior, enjoyed making cards for Give Kids the World Village. “I had a very good time,” she said. Before coming to St John’s, she spent her morning making brownies and breakfast for families. Later, she explained that by making cards for kids she was sure she would brighten their day.” Lucy Homes-Higgins, the team leader, explained in the introductory orientation that once a kid is in the program, their room is filled with cards from volunteers. The cards can be found over their walls, beds and tables. Homes-Higgins has participated in two USD’s since she transferred to St. John’s in 2014. She explained that this year was different because she had the chance to work with Students Engagement. She worked with Mary Pelkowski, Associate Dean of Student Engagement, to secure that there were open and available spots to register for USD. She found interesting that all the spots were filled and up to last weekend people were still registering for USD. Her first half of the day consisted in helping Mission Office by handing T- Shirts and information to volunteers. “Service is really close to my heart,” Holmes-Higgins said. “I love what I do.”
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AUTHORSThis blog is authored by the LASO E-Board and Quality Council. Here we talk about our experiences and takes on our events held throughout the year. ARCHIVESCATEGORIES
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