Dec. 5, 2003
During the holiday season, the thought of service to others enters the minds of many, especially among the Villanova community. While the athletic department contributes with the Adopt-a-Family program for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it was the staff's work during fall break that should serve as an inspiration to the rest of campus.
For the third consecutive year, Villanova University athletics took the initiative in volunteering for a fall break service trip on October 13 and 14. Donna Woodruff, the head of the VQI Enhancement Team, served as the liaison between the athletic department and campus ministry, the organization that oversees all service-related activities.
What resulted from the athletic department's communication with Noreen Cameron of campus ministry was a unique project that involved the clean-up and restoration of a building attached to the St. Rita's catholic church in south Philadelphia. Thanks to the work of Villanova's athletic department staff, the building will now be used as a medical clinic for those who need its services most in the city of Philadelphia.
"It was a great experience for everyone involved," said Woodruff. "We understood that what we were doing was for an important cause."
Most of the work involved cleaning the building, tearing up carpets, re-painting and generally making things safe. Volunteers worked from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The work was tough, and it kept the volunteers busy, but it was certainly important, and would prove rewarding.
The athletic department has participated in a variety of service projects over the years, but this is the third year in the current format. Last year the department completed a project with Habitat for Humanity. Campus ministry works with athletics to find a project that fits, and usually about 30 members of the department's staff ranging from interns, to coaches, to administrators participate. This year, 32 employees took part. They work at the site over a two-day period, most traveling together, others meeting at the scene. In some cases, coaches replace one another so that practices do not interfere with the task at hand.
Villanova's athletic administration asks its student-athletes to participate in community service each year. The department sets an example for its athletes by taking part in its own service project.
For campus ministry, the project was unique in nature, but routine in mission. To date, the athletic department is the only department on campus to complete a service project. Campus ministry often sets up projects for individual students. Fraternities and sororities have volunteered as groups in the past, and there are preliminary plans for the College of Engineering to get involved.
Campus ministry is essential to the success of such a project, not only in finding the work, but also in preparing it. Prior to the athletic department's arrival at the scene, campus ministry met with the church directors, walked through the building and bought the necessary materials from a nearby Home Depot.
"Campus ministry deserves a lot of credit for this," said Woodruff. "While the work was hard, they made it a whole lot easier."
In this particular situation, campus ministry's involvement with St. Rita's does not end here. Thanks to the work done on the building by the athletic department, and through contacts in the Augustinian and medical communities, there is a possibility that Villanova nursing students will gain practical experience by assisting at the refurbished clinic. And if more work is needed, the Villanova athletic department can be counted on.
"It is always enjoyable to work with adults, and the athletic department's performance on these trips is a real tribute to Donna and Vince (Nicastro, Athletic Director)," said Cameron, who has been working with campus ministry for 17 years. "We do a lot of projects throughout the year, and I think one thing everyone should realize is that when people put their hearts in the right place, not only do we get things accomplished, but we get along better with each other."
Campus ministry works with several organizations, including the Diamond Street Center, St. Francis Anne and Project Home. Currently, individual students are working with campus ministry to provide families with materials for Thanksgiving. Other projects include neighborhood clean-ups, tutoring and work with children and senior citizens. Anyone interested in donating his or her time is welcome to participate.
A third group of the Villanova community made an important contribution that solidified the project's success. Dining services donated and delivered boxed lunches for the workers. Just another example of what can be accomplished when individuals sacrifice their time and work as a team. Villanova athletics is used to such a concept.
