Campus community comes together to serve others during Spirit of Service

OMAHA, Neb. – Over 270 College of Saint Mary (CSM) students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteered during the annual Spirit of Service on April 16.

“Spirit of Service taught me that no matter our predicaments, we are all human and we all like to have fun,” said Ava Daro, a Bachelor of Arts in Education student who volunteered at the Stephen Cetner. “The day was important to me because it helped increase my empathy and awareness.”

CSM partnered with Share Omaha to connect volunteers with organizations in the community.

Volunteer locations included Access Period, Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program, Girls Inc., Habitat for Humanity, the Intercultural Senior Center, MOMentum, Radio Talk Book Service, Ronald McDonald House, Siena Francis House, Stephen Center, Together, Victory Riding Academy and the Women's Center for Advancement.

Participants also volunteered on campus, helping Sisters of Mercy complete tasks at their residence, cleaning up outdoor areas and making weighted alligators used to comfort individuals with autism for Amanda’s Alligators.

“Spirit of Service was important to me as I was able to give back to those who support me in my educational journey,” said Kennedy Alwine, a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies student who volunteered at the Sisters of Mercy residence.

Now in its 29th year, Spirit of Service helps create a connection between the campus community and the Omaha community.

The event also served as a culmination of a semester of volunteering. In addition to volunteering on April 16, nearly 200 students, staff and faculty volunteered for about 1,425 hours throughout the semester.