Shown from left, first row: Michelle Jansen, Father Don Cramer and Dominick Mireles. Second row: Gina Connolly, Beth Wulff, Marie-Pier Garcon, Third Row: Sister Debbie Borneman, Jason Janezic and Chris Triantafelow.
Students spend spring break doing service projects
Campus Catholic Ministry traveled to Pittsburgh to assist the homeless and needy. Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance Against Homelessness journeyed to New Orleans where they helped Hurricane Katrina victims rebuild their homes. Students from both groups spent spring break in service to others.
"This trip was a blessing and a great learning experience," said Gina Connolly, a senior speech pathology and audiology major from Carlisle. Connolly and Michelle Jansen, both members of CCM, began planning the Pittsburgh trip in September as "an alternative spring break."
While in the city, CCM volunteered through the Change A Heart Franciscan Volunteer Program. The seven students assisted "Miss Nancy," who gave out items like food, toiletries, bedding and shoes to the homeless. They also volunteered in Providence Connections, a support system for low-income families as well as in a home for at-risk youths. "I feel like we got more out of the service than the recipients did. It was so intense and powerful," said Connolly.
Before leaving, CCM donated $300 to Miss Nancy's organization and $300 to Providence Connections. "We felt 'called,' so we collected over 400 pairs of socks and eight boxes of books in addition to the monetary donations," said Connolly.
Students who participated in the New Orleans trip had the same sentiment. "Going on the trip helped my perspective. You need to get out and see what other people go through," said Megan Domanski, a junior elementary education and special education major from Reading.
The 12 students who went on the trip helped to repaint Katrina victims' homes and worked in a local food bank. "I don't think people realize how much more work needs to be done down there. After three and a half years there is still so much left to do," Domanski said.
Some students were able to work on a mural, while others helped to clean out a home that had been on fire. Domanski says there were other groups there helping too, including a group from Chicago.
"People need to get out there and do a service project," said Domanski. "Any little thing makes a big difference."