Students, staff give back during first-ever Virtual Spirit of Service Day event

OMAHA, NEB. – College of Saint Mary’s 23^rd Annual Spirit of Service Day was undoubtedly going to look different this year. So, in an effort to maintain social distancing practices, the university formed its first-ever “Virtual” Spirit of Service Day. The new format included several opportunities for students, staff and alumnae to give back to the Omaha community, all from the comfort of their homes.

“People need help, now more than ever,” says Carla Gerriets, director of campus ministry. “So CSM is here to answer that call to service – it just looks a bit differently this time around.”

Using an online portal, CSM students, faculty, staff, and alumnae can select from a wide range of virtual opportunities available within the community.  Some of these include writing uplifting letters to elderly and children, volunteering as a “pen pal”, and donating masks, gloves and other PPE to organizations in need. Some volunteers even created their own homemade masks and protective headbands and donated them to healthcare workers in the area. Others donated blood to the American Red Cross.

Ways the College of Saint Mary community is helping others during Virtual Spriit of Service

• Faculty members creating masks for community
• CSM staff create and donate headbands to our frontline workers in healthcare
• BSN student Maricela Ruiz ’20 purchased & delivered groceries to the front steps for a family of 8
• Senior nursing student Anthonia Awotundun sending e-cards w/ monetary donation to children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Students & staff volunteer to build shelves for Omaha Symphony, create blankets for children in need, and write letters to the elderly
• CSM community helped pack meals for children at the Food Bank, pick up trash on Earth Day and deliver care packages to elderly friends & family
   

“This is a time where all students and participants live out the mission of College of Saint Mary by showing respect and dignity for others through service,” added Gerriets. The annual day was extended to span the entire rest of the month, so volunteers can still find opportunities to give of their time in support of their cause.

More than 225 students, faculty and staff members from CSM participated in this year's Spirit of Service event.

In line with the college’s mission, this day embodies one of the six pillars of the university: commitment to compassionate service.

For an entire list of service opportunities, or to see how you can still participate in Virtual Spirit of Service Day, go to www.csm.edu/events/spirit-service-day.