Students, staff give back during Spirit of Service Day this month
SPIRIT OF SERVICE PHOTOS
OMAHA, NEB. – College of Saint Mary’s 24th Annual Spirit of Service Day will take place on Thursday, April 15. The hybrid format includes both in-person and virtual opportunities for students, staff and alumnae to give back to the Omaha community.
“People need help, now more than ever,” said Carla Gerriets, director of campus ministry. “So CSM is here to answer that call to service as we do each year.”
Using an online portal, CSM students, faculty, staff, and alumnae can select from a wide range of virtual (36) and in-person (22) volunteer opportunities available within the community. Some of these include Keep Omaha Beautiful Trail Clean-Up, food donations to the Foodbank of the Heartland and Open Door Mission, donations at the Siena Francis House, and outdoor projects at Scatter Joy Acres. Virtual opportunities include becoming a digital volunteer for the American Red Cross, the Smithsonian, Trevor Project, and more. Many volunteers are also sending letters to our troops, to children at St. Jude’s Hospital, and elderly seniors across the globe.
“It’s rewarding…Making a comforting item for some animals that might not have had the best life,” said Rachel Peabody, physician assistant student who volunteered for the “Snuggles Project”.
Over 250 students, faculty and staff members from CSM signed up or participated in the event thus far, with more volunteers reporting their acts of service each day. A total of 352 slots have been filled.
“This is a time where all students and participants live out the mission of College of Saint Mary by showing respect and dignity for others through service,” added Gerriets. The annual day was extended to span March 15-April 15, so volunteers can find opportunities that fit their own schedule.
In line with the college’s mission, this day embodies one of the six pillars of the university: commitment to compassionate service.
For an entire list of service opportunities, or to see how you can still participate in Spirit of Service Day, go to www.CSM.edu/SpiritofService2021.
