By Amelia Kibbe
Staff Writer
The freshman class may not have been at Bonaventure for a full semester yet, but many students are already beginning to understand just how important service is to the school.
During Welcome Days, incoming freshmen performed some sort of community service. This activity introduced students to the idea of Bonaventure service and for some, it was just the beginning.
With the help of Sister Suzanne Kush, C.S.S.F, director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern, the class of 2017 is putting together care packages to send to soldiers. The students are asking for nonperishable and convenient items to pack in boxes to send overseas.
Sister Suzanne said she was more than glad to help organize the project, and is thrilled that students understand the importance of caring for those who serve.
“A group of freshmen came to me and asked if I would help organize the making of care packages,” Sister Suzanne said. “They began by having a bake sale and raising a small sum to get things started. From this we decided it would be more beneficial if we asked for donations to save us a few steps.”
Sister Suzanne said she is thankful the students learned from their past experiences and are truly learning the values of what it means to be a Franciscan.
“This connects to what the freshmen did in Welcome Days,” Sister Suzanne said. “Having awareness of the veterans actually began last year with letter writing. It is nice to see that the project is expanding.”
One of the students who headed the project is freshman psychology major Cassandra Weeks. Weeks said she has high hopes for the program and wants it to continue past this year.
“We’re hoping that this project will grow to become an every year thing,” Weeks said. “It means a lot to the servicemen and women to receive something from someone and know that people support and appreciate what they are doing for our country.”
Both Weeks and Sister Suzanne said they believe the project is more than just a kind gesture. They said they believe it can create a very personal connection between the soldiers and the students.
“The idea of caring for veterans, which started off as a kind offering, has turned into a very personal action for many,” Sister Suzanne said. “It is very hard to understand what soldiers experience unless you are directly connected.”
This is exactly why Weeks is so supportive of the idea, she said.
“This project means a lot to me personally because my uncle is in the Army, and my boyfriend is going to be deployed to Afghanistan very soon,” Weeks said.
It is not too late to donate to this cause. Organizers will be accepting donations at the Merton Center until tomorrow. The athletic department is also supporting the cause and organizers will be present in the lobby area of the Reilly Center to accept final donations at tomorrow night’s basketball game.
