Over 450 Fairfield University students took a shot at community service instead of taking shots at parties this past weekend.
Sunday morning, 376 students woke up early and boarded buses heading towards Sherwood Island State Park to take part in the American Breast Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
Here, they completed a five-mile walk along the Long Island Sound, raising over $1,800.
Participants included club members from Circle K, the Student Nurses Association, the Peer Education group, resident assistant and dorm resident teams, FYE groups, sports teams and academic teams.
Fairfield University students have been participants in this event for the past eight years. Throughout the years, over $7,000 has been raised and contributed by the students.
The walk is the American Cancer Society’s main fundraising event of the year and brings in needed funds for research, treatment options, patient advocacy and support groups for cancer victims.
Many of the participating students wanted to help out a good cause and enjoyed themselves in the process.
“I think it was great day. I was able to go out and have fun with my friends while knowing I was contributing in a fight against a disease that affects so many women,” said Jackie Mautone ’08. “I definitely plan on doing it again next year.”
Another participant, Brian Erickson ’08 said, “I was really impressed with what people can do when they come together for one cause and was glad I could be a part of it.”
One of Fairfield’s newer service projects, OPERATION: Brown Bag Lunch, involved the freshman class in an effort to provide the New York City’s homeless with bagged meals.
Sunday, 40 freshmen embarked on a trip to New York City to distribute 120 bagged lunches that they had made the night before in Central Park.
The group’s volunteer project turned into more than they bargained for. The bus broke down mid-way and Central Park, due to a large business convention, was not ideal for distributing the lunches as previously planned.
The students switched gears and headed to the 2nd Avenue to hand out their bagged lunches to the needy and homeless. They were successful and found soup kitchens, shelters, and parks that welcomed their charity.
Christa Szantyr ’05 headed up this project last year as an RA in Loyola and wanted to continue the effort this year.
“The unexpected warm welcomes and responses from the unfortunate people we helped were more genuine and touching than anything I’d ever heard,” said Szantyr. “My goal for this year was to be able to share that feeling with the freshmen.”
“This was an experience that none of us will soon forget and I can’t wait to brew up some more service ideas for the rest of my last year at Fairfield,” she said.
Recently, a number of other service projects have been keeping student volunteers busy as well. The College Republicans and College Democrats came together to organize a bake sale to benefit American troops in Iraq.
A popular volunteerism spot is the Prospect House Soup Kitchen in Bridgeport.
Another campus club, Circle K, has sponsored numerous service activities including selling the yellow ‘Live Strong’ bracelets, popular on campus, promoted by Lance Armstrong to raise money for cancer research.
“Volunteering is a great thing to do, especially for a good cause that you are interested in,” said Robyn Atkachunas ’05. “I chose Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and participate every year. Taking a little time to help others is something everyone should do.”
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