December 3rd, 2009

 I choose to give thanks to God every day, Thanksgiving was one of those days I did that and more.  Thanksgiving is a day of reflection on what we are thankful for. It seems many families experience thanksgiving with different traditions. So in the spirit of being diverse and embracing different traditions my friend Emil (BFF) and I set out on a journey to 7 different houses to shake hands, hug friends, and of course EAT!

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Tagged As: Art, basketball, Community Service, Food, Friends, Jobs, Philadelphia, Philly, photos, thanksgiving, Visiting
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April 1st, 2009

There are many places that I have always wanted to go to help those in need. CHC presents so many great opportunities for students to help serve others, and show them what being a part of the CHC community is about. A great example of this is last summer when students from CHC traveled to Africa and tutored at a school there. Also, during spring break, students went to Appalachia for a week to volunteer to help people in the community clean their homes and offer them company.

What I love about being a part of the CHC community is that there is always an opportunity for service, and there is never a service to great or two small. I learned that today when I had an opportunity to check another amazing service experience of my list of semester goals.

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Tagged As: Campus Ministry, Community Service, Heart of Camden
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July 30th, 2008

It’s funny to think that so many students would actually volunteer to wait tables all night—since so many of us do toil away at the tables in the summer and whatnot—but with the chance to make a difference at the Empty Bowl Dinner, we’re more than happy to add an extra shift.

Every year, Chestnut Hill College hosts the Empty Bowl Dinner in the Arena to benefit the Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (NPIHN), a non profit organization whose mission is to provide food and shelter to local homeless families. Empty Bowl brings in more than 1,000 volunteers, including Chestnut Hill College students, faculty and staff, people of the Chestnut Hill community at large—and even many formerly homeless people who have benefited from Empty Bowl and want to pay it forward.

Here’s how Empty Bowl works: Local businesses, schools, and potters donate clay bowls, while local restaurants donate soups, breads, and desserts. For a small fee, diners can select a hand-crafted bowl and enjoy fare from over 56 restaurants and bakeries in the Philadelphia area. At the end of the evening, diners take home their empty bowl as a reminder of those who face hunger every day (I don’t think the symbolism is lost on anybody.) All proceeds from the event are donated to NPIHN.

Last year’s Dinner attracted over 700 attendees and raised over $9,000. Not to mention, reminded a bunch of students that seemingly small good works can make a real difference in the lives of other people.

Tagged As: Annual, Community Service, Food
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July 30th, 2008

Last Thursday I was able to contribute in a Cancer benefit for my friend’s cousin, Lecky. It was wonderful to take part in something meaningful, much like the numerous benefits I have attended at Chestnut Hill College; I was glad to once again help in making a difference. At CHC I was able to lend a hand at a ranch for abused animals (Last Chance Ranch), assist in providing foreign aid in the Fair Trade sales, and benefit local families with the college’s annual “Empty Bowl Dinner”. Attending Lecky’s benefit festival reminded me of the continuous opportunities one can participate in order to truly assist others in need.

“Lecky’s Love Benefit Festival” was sincerely an amazing event. With the entrance fee being $25 for everyone sixteen or older, Lecky’s family was able to raise $25,000 dollars in one night. The proceeds will aid Lecky through her courageous battle with Cancer. The event started at 5 PM and continued late into the night. There were children skidding down a huge water slide and springing off the walls of a gigantic moon bounce. Their parents grouped around a bonfire, watching the live music in the gazebo close by. Flocks of local teens danced by the stage and singing along to familiar songs. Lecky herself danced gaily to the local Doylestown artists, all whom played original music that prompted the festival into its lively success. The bands didn’t stop playing till three in the morning, and my best friend’s band went on last.

His band Appy Polly Logic has become quite a success in the Bucks County area, with young and old fans alike jumping and twisting to their experimental beats. Consisting of guitar, bass, drums, and saxophone, Appy Polly Logic gathers a dynamic crowd whom all remark on the impression left after hearing the band’s innovative “funk”. They even performed as a house band for a night club close to Chestnut Hill College called North by Northwest. Every Tuesday and Thursday two summers ago, my friends and I would drive down to Mt. Airy and support our local band. However Lecky’s festival was much different than the shows they normally play. That night the band was able to release a family from the stress of a loved one’s illness and allowed Lecky and her family to get lost in the moment’s rhythm.

Tagged As: Community Service, Concerts, Music
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