Gripping an orange Crayola marker, SJC Brooklyn Junior D’nellio Bennett wrote the word “Fall” in block letters on a paper lunch bag that he decorated Tuesday during a service fair in the auditorium in Tuohy Hall on Tuesday.
Students, faculty and staff in the SJC Brooklyn community joined Bennett in completing several creative service activities to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
D’nellio Bennett decorates a lunch bag at the service fair.
In addition to the bagged lunches for Saint Savior Catholic Academy’s brown bag initiative, the St. Joe’s community made cards for children celebrating their birthdays in hospitals for the Confetti Foundation, kitten satchels for the Brooklyn Animal Coalition, bookmarks for the Brooklyn Public Library, cards for soldiers and their children through Operation Gratitude, activity packs for A Grandma’s Love and designed no-slip socks for the seniors who reside at the Sunrise Assisted Living Facility.
Michelle Corsetti, coordinator of off-campus housing and community service at SJC Brooklyn, who helped organize the 9/11 service fair, said she was proud of the support given to the afternoon service fair by the College community.
While service fairs are often held at the College, this was the first time one was held in honor of 9/11.
“We thought it was time to do something a little different,” said Corsetti, explaining that former U.S. President Barack Obama has stressed the importance of using service to remember those who died serving the country on 9/11.
The service fair was organized by the Office of Student Life, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the club Students Taking a Role In Positively Empowering Society (S.T.R.I.P.E.S.).
SJC Students Committed To Service
Students who participated said they enjoyed using service as a way to remember 9/11.
“I believe doing events like this are a great way to get a community together,” Bennett said.
Jessica Mecham, a freshman, said she thought the service fair was a good way to reflect on the tragedy, as she colored a Halloween-themed bookmark for the Brooklyn Public Library.
“I always like giving back to people,” she said.
Gianna Pizzariella and Andrew Wenzler, both members of S.T.R.I.P.E.S., said they were glad they got the opportunity to pen letters to soldiers – and, especially, their children.
“I can’t even imagine having a parent in the military,” Pizzariella said. “I give them so much credit.”
In her cards, Pizzariella encouraged children to remember that families of soldiers are in the thoughts and prayers of everyone living in the country.
Wenzler sent a similar message to children of soldiers in his cards.
“I’m just reminding them to stay strong,” he said. “Hopefully their fight is almost over.”
