With the fall semester coming to an end, the St. Joseph’s University, New York community has wrapped up donation drives across both campuses. Donation efforts in Brooklyn and Long Island benefited local communities in need this holiday season. These served as further examples of how SJNY students personify the University’s motto, Esse non videri — “To be, not to seem.”
University-Wide Thank-a-thon
Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement
Across both campuses, the Office of Alumni Engagement, along with students and staff, expressed gratitude by sending thank you cards to the many generous donors who give back to St. Joseph’s throughout the year. Each campus had over 60 students in total attendance. The Long Island campus also hosted a raffle during the event where students won Starbucks gift cards, in appreciation for their volunteering efforts.
Here is a look at many of the successful initiatives:
On The Brooklyn Campus
Recreation and Hospitality Club Clothing Drive
Hosted by the Recreation and Hospitality Club
From Oct. 28 to Nov. 28, the Recreation and Hospitality Club held a clothing drive in support of the Interfaith Medical Center Substance Abuse Unit. The donations collected were given to those who struggle with substance abuse and are in recovery.
Holiday Toy Drive
Hosted by the Child Study Club
From Nov. 25 to Dec. 9, the Child Study Club hosted a holiday toy drive. In total, they collected 30 new and unwrapped toys. All toys were donated to Reaching Out Community Services; a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn that provides programming for low income families and individuals.
Making Holiday Cards Event
Hosted by the Child Study Club
On Dec. 2, during common hour, the Child Study Club hosted a holiday making card event in the Student Lounge. In total, 200 holiday cards were made and donated to all 200 patients at the Bedford Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.
The Brooklyn Hospital Center Holiday Party
Hosted by the Office of Student Involvement
Brooklyn students helped raise the spirits of patients at The Brooklyn Hospital Center (TBHC) holiday party on Dec. 7. The party was designed for patients with Sickle Cell Anemia and their families. Even with final exams looming, SJNY volunteers helped on site with logistics—checking in families, decorating the space and cleaning up—as well as facilitating arts and crafts with the patients and their families.
Students volunteered at The Brooklyn Hospital Center holiday party on Dec. 7.
The Office of Student Involvement also collected toys for The Brooklyn Hospital Center’s Pediatric ICU. Participants, ranging from students, faculty and staff, were encouraged to purchase an item from the hospital’s wishlist.
“SJNY students had a great time helping out with crafts, games and hanging out with the wonderful families,” said Brenda Ramos, assistant for student involvement, leadership and intercultural engagement, who joined the students at TBHC on Dec. 7.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Hosted by the Child Study Club
Also in support of Reaching Out Community Services, the Child Study Club collected non-perishable Thanksgiving food items. They collected 40 food items in total, which included canned vegetables, canned beans, rice and cereal.
Food Fight Donation Event
Hosted by the Office of Student Life, Leadership and Intercultural Engagement
The Office of Student Life hosted a food fight donation drive throughout the month of November. Participants were encouraged to donate shelf-stable and non-perishable food, which is being used to restock the SJNY food pantry. The event resulted in more than 100 food donations.
‘Can-struction’ Live Build and Play Competition
Hosted by the Office of Student Life, Leadership and Intercultural Engagement
Using the donations from the Food Fight food drive, students and faculty participated in a team-oriented competition where they built a sculpture made entirely out of canned goods. Ten students competed as a part of the student teams and many faculty and staff members competed on their own team. The faculty and staff team walked away as the winner, with the most impressive can-made sculpture.
On the Long Island Campus
Christmas Gift Drive
Hosted by the Office of Campus Ministry
The Office of Campus Ministry wrapped up its 20th annual Christmas Gift Drive on Dec. 17. In partnership with the Wyandanch Homes and Property Development Corporation (WHPDC), the office sponsored 23 families in need this holiday season. WHPDC provides affordable rental housing to homeless and low-income Suffolk County, NY families. More than 40 individuals and offices on campus signed up to donate gifts to the families.
Give/Get Wellness Drive
Hosted by the Office of Campus Ministry and the Center for Counseling and Wellness
In support of the Lighthouse Mission, the Office of Campus Ministry and the Center for Counseling and Wellness collected essential winter health supplies. The Lighthouse Mission gives their donations to the homeless and those in need. Together, the offices collected donations which ranged from tissues to sanitizing products.
Christmas Clothing Drive
Hosted by the Office of Campus Ministry, the Office of Global Studies, Best Buddies Club, Criminal Justice Club, Diversity Union and Rotaract Club
Several on-campus student-led clubs partnered with the Office of Campus Ministry and the Office of Global Studies for a winter clothing drive. Donations were collected from Nov. 6 to Dec. 6 and were donated to the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Long Island Immigration Clinic (LIIC). The clinic works to assist and guide individuals in gaining legal status to stay in the country.
Food Drive
Hosted by the Office of Campus Ministry
In support of the Patchogue-Medford Youth and Community Services, the Office of Campus Ministry held a Thanksgiving food drive. They donated more than 50 pounds of food to the organization, who provides services to families and the youth in the Long Island community.
Blood Drive
Hosted by the Center for Counseling and Wellness
On Nov. 26, the Center for Counseling and Wellness hosted a blood drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center (NYBC). The SJNY community has been partnering with the center since 1998 to maintain supplies of blood needed in the Long Island community. They successfully exceed their goal of 35 units by coming it at 38 units, which will save approximately 114 lives.
Melissa G. Gatto, the St. Joseph’s Account Manager/NYBC Donor Recruitment Specialist, reflected on the success of the drive.
“St. Joseph’s University has once again demonstrated its commitment to the community by partnering with the New York Blood Center to save lives and make a meaningful impact. Each blood drive highlights the generosity and compassion of the university’s students, faculty and staff. Thank you for giving the gift of life,” she said.
New Teacher Donation Drive
Hosted by Kappa Delta Pi
Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) hosted a new teacher donation drive from Nov. 12 to Nov.15. Together, they collected items such as notebooks, crayons, markers, index cards and other school supplies. In total, the honor society made approximately 12 baskets filled with school supplies, which will be donated to SJNY KDP Fall 2024 graduates to use in their future classrooms.
The Eaglettes Dance Club hosted its first clothing drive during the holiday season.
Eaglettes Clothing Drive
Hosted by the Eaglettes Dance Club
The Eaglettes Dance Club hosted its first clothing drive in support of Go Green Clothing Recycling, a clothing recycling company on Long Island. Thirty members of the club participated in collecting a total of approximately 350 bags of clothing, which resulted in 4,605 pounds of clothing being donated in total.
Book Mark Making
Hosted by Theta Phi Alpha and the Child Study Department
On Dec. 4, members of Theta Phi Alpha and the Child Study Department came together to make book bookmarks and collect school supplies donations. The organizations collected items such as pencils, colored pencils, notebooks and index cards. All donations were given to The Rachel Quinn Children’s Foundation, an organization that helps underprivileged children of Long Island.
Toys for Tots Toy Drive Drive
Hosted by the Accounting and Business Society
The Accounting and Business Society hosted its annual Toys for Tots drive. Through Dec. 5, the club collected new and unwrapped toys that were donated to the Toys for Tots program. Run by the Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots gives holiday gifts to children in need.
A choral class at the Long Island campus partnered with the Religious Studies Department to perform for patients at a local nursing home.
Island Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Holiday Choral Performance
Hosted by Religious Studies Department and St. Joseph’s University Choral Class
A choral class at the Long Island campus partnered with the Religious Studies Department to perform for patients at the Island Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Eight students participated in the performance and sang holiday songs that put residents in the holiday spirit.
SAAC’s Holiday Toy Drive
Hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
On Dec. 11, during the women’s basketball game, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) collected new and unwrapped holiday toys for ages up to 17 years old. They surpassed their goal of at least 3 toy donations from each team, by receiving multiple toy donations from almost every member of the Men’s Basketball team.
SAAC’s Thanksgiving Food Drive
Hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), hosted their annual Thanksgiving food drive throughout the month of November. In total, the committee collected over 130 canned food items which went to families in need within their community.
Sigma Tau Delta’s Food Drive
Hosted by Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta hosted a food drive where they collected non-perishable food donations. Approximately 20 members participated in the event and they collected over 30 donations.
