New Caldwell College Students Engage in Community Service for Orientation

Caldwell, NJ – August 29, 2011 – Nearly 250 new Caldwell College students took part in Service day Saturday August 27 as part of orientation, despite the fact that Hurricane Irene was on its way. They volunteered at non-profit organizations, churches, and schools engaging in activities ranging from preparing classrooms for the school year to cooking to help those in need get ready for Hurricane Irene.

Kaitlyn Kazalunas, a freshman from Nutley, NJ and other students volunteered at Magnificat House in Jersey City, a residence for low-income women. Kaitlyn said she made “5 meals to put in the fridge for the next days” during the storm for the residents. It was a “wonderful experience, a lot of work” and a chance for the students to bond, she said.

Eddie Fausak, of Freehold volunteered at St. Mary’s pantry at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark. His group put together bags of food and gave them out to families in need. “You don’t realize all you have until you help other people.”

Before heading out, the students heard from Lia Canavan, of Bloomfield, who graduated from Caldwell College in 2010. She shared her experiences volunteering for campus ministry projects during college. “When you give of yourself you get so much more in return.” She said it was ironic that she would speaking on the day of the Hurricane Irene, since it was Hurricane Katrina in 2007 that was pivotal in getting her interested in community service. During college she took part in various projects including rebuilding in Appalachia during Alternative Spring and Winter breaks, serving at a soup kitchen, and helping in relief efforts in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. “I wanted to help New Orleans. I’m pretty sure New Orleans helped me.” When engaging in community service, “You will never know whose prayers you will be answering,” she said.

Erin Fitzpatrick, a freshman from, Rahway, NJ joined a group that volunteered at the Academy of St. Mary’s in Rutherford. They painted, organized desks, and prepared classrooms for the new school year. It was a terrific experience and “warmed my heart,” said Fitzpatrick.

At other locations some freshmen and transfer students assisted principals and teachers in cleaning, moving furniture, organizing large closets, and sanitizing toys for the start of school.

Other volunteer sites included: Our Lady Help of Christians School, East Orange; St. Joseph’s School, East Orange; Resurrection School, Jersey City; St. John the Apostle School, Clark, and St. Mary’s Pantry in Newark.

On Caldwell’s campus, some new students moved upperclassmen into the residence halls so that they could be settled before the hurricane hit. Other students who stayed on campus sorted clothes to be donated to Midnight Runs that benefit the homeless in New York City. They organized school supplies that the incoming students donated for inner city schools.

This is the second year that Caldwell College has implemented community service as part of its orientation activities. The hurricane did put a halt to some of the service activities and students were brought back on campus by 2 p.m. safe and sound. Then they enjoyed a barbeque that was moved inside to the student center because of the weather.

Caldwell College is greeting its largest freshmen class ever.