Don't think that you can make a difference in the lives of the needy? Not so, and lots of students are proving otherwise, too!

College Students Continue To Give Back
By Rochelle DelGaizo Billera
November 2001

The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- The awareness of giving from the heart has especially been heightened in the wake of Sept. 11th's World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. And, to keep their spirits high and heartaches low, many college students are participating in programs to help the needy while bringing cheer to the lives of those most affected.

"Students wanted to do something to show their support," says Pat Vacarro, director of collegiate volunteers at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. "The blood drive gave them something tangible to do."

Held in conjunction with the American Red Cross, the blood drive was successful in collecting 202 pints of blood, Vacarro notes. "We had between 60 to 80 students who were turned away because of long lines or having sufficient amounts at that time," she boasts.

Volunteering and coming to the aid of others, however, is not a new concept for students at the University of Scranton. The Jesuit institution keeps students involved in service activities throughout the year. For Halloween, through United Neighborhood centers students take disadvantaged children to a pumpkin patch, bring them to the dorms for trick or treating, and run a haunted house called "Boo at the Zoo." During Thanksgiving, students collect donations and prepare food baskets. University of Scranton students are equally active during Christmas, with an "empty stocking" bands and choir performance. The admission fee is a toy!

In addition, says Vacarro, students contribute food and clothing, and host a holiday dinner for parents & children. Students at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, participate in the local Habitat for Humanity program.

"You get to meet people from all walks of life," says Maura Kaveney, a political science student and co-chair of the charitable event. "It's very humbling to be able to give back."

The ground-breaking ceremony for the Worcester house was October 5th. The students, architects, and program coordinators are hoping to have the home completely built by Christmas eve.

"This is not something that you could learn in books," says Maura. "Having that hands-on experience is what puts things into [their] proper perspective."