OVER 200 VOLUNTEER AT CALDWELL SERVICE DAY

Students, faculty, staff “give back” to 20 community agencies

Caldwell College held its first annual “Caldwell Service Day” on Friday April 30 when more than 200 students, faculty and staff went out into the community to volunteer at 20 different non-profits, community agencies and local government organizations. Classes were cancelled to celebrate the life of St. Martin de Porres and the day was dedicated to living out the Dominican pillar of service.

On a perfect spring day with temps in the 70’s, the volunteer opportunities ranged from planting flowers on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell for the Caldwell Downtown Alliance, to helping with administrative work for the Caldwell Merchant Association and Kiwanis, to stacking shelves at the Community FoodBank of NJ in Hillside. The Men’s Basketball team moved some 2,000 books at Temple Agudath Israel in Caldwell. The Women’s soccer team donated their time to Caldwell Live/ Senior Center and went door to door delivering materials to senior citizens.

The Men’s Soccer Team volunteered at the Caldwell Fire Department washing down the fire trucks and laying down mulch.

College President Dr. Nancy H. Blattner made the rounds to several sites and was exhilarated by all she saw and experienced. “The excitement was evident everywhere. It is so rewarding to see the students, faculty and staff giving back to the community agencies that support Caldwell College.”

Several volunteered with the elderly and infirm at St. Catherine’s Health Care Center across from the college. They played games and gave them time and attention, perhaps the most important gift of all. Students Dan Hohman, Lauren Podkul, Monique Paneros and Bryan Bloanos all said it was such a great experience. Hohman, a junior, said this is “what Caldwell College is really all about.” Sociology Professor Yang Cai, who teaches the Sociology of Aging, said she loves seeing the faces of the elderly when they light up. Music Department Chair Nan Childress-Orchard played the piano for the residents. She said she was reminded that what is most important in life is our “work in relating to others,” and “being present”. That, she said, can shine God’s love. Irene Demaio from the Business Division said it gives “ you a good feeling to help the elderly and maybe make somebody a little happy.”

Student Olga Ndhlovu volunteered at Marion Manor where her group put together a picnic for the elderly residents. She said the volunteers “got out of it more than they gave. ”

Many found that being out of the classroom, relaxing, having fun and bonding with co-workers does a lot for the soul. And there were other lessons too. English Professor Mary Ann Miller said she learned a little about obedience. Originally she had signed up for a site other than the one she was assigned. In letting go, she said she found “there is a real chance for grace.”

Others volunteered at a sensory fair for children with cerebral palsy at the Horizon School in Livingston and still others went to Our Lady Help of Christians School in East Orange to clean up a school yard for pre-schoolers. Back on campus, many took part in a spring clean up and others painted the Mother Joseph Residence Hall. It was a bonding experience for employees who might not always interact with each other. Residence Life staffer Sandra Gilot said it was “great to see people out of their element.”

Sister Kathleen Tuite, O.P., Assistant to the President for Mission and Ministry led the team of employees who worked for several months on planning the entire day. “Our first annual Caldwell Day of Service allowed us to put into action our Catholic Dominican Mission that is Caldwell College. On this day we served side by side with friends and strangers, but more profoundly we became the living manifestation of the needs of God in today’s world,” she said.

The day began with a wonderful presentation by Joy Rodino, Esq., the wife of former New Jersey Congressman Peter Rodino. She spoke about how in her book “Fifty-Two Words My Husband Taught Me,” she pays tribute to the legacy of her husband and his commitment to the vision of the Founding Fathers and the fifty-two words of the Preamble to the Constitution. She encouraged the entire Caldwell College community to choose to “live a life that matters” in doing whatever they are called to do ---big and small—to make a difference.

Click here to see more photos from the day.