September 27, 2010
One of the characteristics that has defined St. John's
University since its founding in 1870 is a commitment to service.
As a Vincentian university dedicated to reaching out to others, St.
John's has always embraced opportunities to make a difference for
those among us whose needs are great.
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One of the University's most meaningful initiatives is Annual
Service Day, a time when students, faculty, staff, alumni and
friends of St. John's come together to serve those less fortunate
members of our community. This year's event was held on Saturday,
September 25, 2010 and, as in the past, alumni participation was
significant.
Service Day activities began as Rev John A. Kettelberger,
C.M., Director of Residence Ministry, addressed the volunteers on
the Queens campus and Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Vice
President, Mission did the same on Staten Island. Both thanked the
participants and reminded them of how appropriate it was that they
were embodying the spirit and carrying out the mission of St.
Vincent de Paul just two days prior to his feast day.
Reflecting the various needs of the community surrounding the
Queens campus, alumni took part in a variety of activities that
included interacting with the patients at Creedmoor Psychiatric
Center, assisting with cleaning and painting at the Elohim
Community Development Corporation and reaching out to the homebound
through a local visitation service.
"It was gratifying to see our alumni coming back to St. John's
to give service to others in so many different ways," said Mark
Andrews, Associate Director, Office of Alumni Relations. "It's
obvious that the University's Vincentian values are an important
part of their lives, and our society is better because of it."
Melissa Kuch '05CPS participated in Service Day by helping with
landscaping and outdoor beautification activities at the Bayside
Senior Center. She saw it as a way to put her Vincentian values
into practice. "As a student at St. John's, we learned that the
Vincentian ideals mean that we have to give back, especially now
after being out in the real world," she said. "It's nice to be with
friends and other alumni and really help the community."
Working alongside Melissa, Eunice Baptiste '88SVC was grateful
for the opportunity to show her appreciation for what the
University has done for her by reaching out to others. "It's
important for me to come [to Service Day]," she noted, "because it
allows me to give back to the community and also back to St.
John's, that made me what I am today."
Staten Island alumni traveled to the Carmel Richmond
Nursing Home, where they brightened the day for 40 senior citizen
residents by working with them on autumn-themed tasks designed to
help the residents get into the spirit of the season. The
volunteers and residents also sang together throughout the day,
creating a festive atmosphere that was fun for everyone.
For Oscar Suarez '09TCB, spending time at the service site gave
him an insight into the lives of individuals he might never have
come into contact with otherwise. "This was my first Service Day
experience," he said. "It opened my eyes to see how the elderly
live their daily lives and go about their daily activities."
At the end of the day, the alumni were grateful for the
opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. "I truly
connected with the residents at Carmel Richmond," said Michelle
Oberfeld '03TCB, "and hope they gained as much from today as I did.
I'm looking forward to serving again."
For additional information about how you can render service to
others throughout the year, please call Mark Andrews, Associate
Director, Office of Alumni Relations at (718) 990-5897 or e-mail andrewsm@stjohns.edu.
For additional information about how you can render service to
others in the Staten Island area, please call Nicholas A. Legakis
’97SVC, ’07MPS, Director, Institutional Advancement, Staten Island
at (718) 390-4146 or e-mail legakisn@stjohns.edu.