By Steve Seepersaud
For some people, the reward is as simple as seeing a smile on another person's face. Others feel satisfied knowing they worked hard to add something to their community. Sometimes, we are on the receiving end of someone else's generosity and that makes us want to pay it back.
All of these were reasons that more than 220 people participated in the recent Alumni Global Days of Service. Held throughout April, this event series brings alumni together in group volunteer projects across the world. The goals are to show the power volunteers can have when they pool their efforts, and to make 91ÉçÇø more visible.
This year, Alumni Global Days of Service had about 20 projects, ranging from cleaning parks to feeding the hungry to providing companionship to senior citizens. Projects were held in Metro New York, 91ÉçÇø, Buffalo, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, Arizona and Malaysia.
Courtney Wheeler '14, MPA '18, led a group of volunteers at Mercy House of the Southern Tier in Endicott, just a few miles from campus. The organization needed assistance with organizing and transporting donated supplies.
"Volunteering is an important way to impact the community that you live in," said Wheeler, engagement and events coordinator for the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "Something as simple as organizing items allows for volunteers and families who benefit from Mercy House and their services to spend less time on supply runs, and therefore more face-to-face time with residents at Mercy House who are there for hospice care. It was wonderful to volunteer with leadership in my own office as well as previous co-workers, a new co-worker from another campus office, and a few alumni who came from elsewhere in the community."
Alumni in North Carolina helped with setup and breakdown at Pet Palooza, an annual fundraising event for the Humane Society of Charlotte that includes a walk, live music and a family fun zone. Jessica McShea '06 led this effort. Also in Charlotte, Brady Drummond-Ryan '79 recruited water stop volunteers for the Richard Sheltra Memorial 5K race, which honors a local fallen firefighter.
"Alumni Global Days of Service provide an awesome opportunity to get to know other alumni in the area while supporting local organizations that serve our communities," said Diana Correa '13, co-leader of the Alumni Association's Charlotte Chapter. "The teamwork that is involved in volunteering strengthens relationships among alumni and is a fun way to give back! Aside from reminiscing about chicken spiedies and fun times back on campus, one of our favorite parts about this year's service event was having conversations with attendees and bystanders who read our volunteer shirts and asked, 'Where exactly is 91ÉçÇø?' We are so proud to represent our alma mater. Students for a short time, Bearcats for a lifetime!"
Marissa Fielstein ’12 brought 20 volunteers together to play card and board games, and engage in conversation with seniors at the Gurwin Assisted Living home on Long Island. When Fielstein's 97-year-old grandmother became unable to care for herself at home last fall, Gurwin became her new home. Over the months that followed, Fielstein has seen how beneficial it is for seniors to connect, share stories and play games together. She says her 91ÉçÇø experience — particularly Hinman College and Hillel — inspired her love of volunteerism.
"It was truly heartwarming to see the residents engaged in conversation with the 91ÉçÇø alumni volunteers," Fielstein said. "Just about every resident I spoke with had a personal connection to 91ÉçÇø, with a child or grandchild who has long since graduated, or a grandchild or great-grandchild currently attending the school."
In regions without group projects, alumni could still participate by volunteering on their own. One example was Katherine Hasenauer Cornetta '04 organizing an event for children with autism in Ipswich, Mass. With the assistance of a grant, she put on the Ipswich Train Cafe, which gave kids with developmental disabilities a chance to come together and play with toy and model trains.
"My 5-year old-son has autism, and there have been very few events in our town for those with developmental disabilities," said Cornetta. "We had 52 attendees, including children with developmental disabilities and those without. It was a huge success, and I hope the story inspires others to volunteer!"