2008 Woodie Awards
WE'VE GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN OUR HANDS
Discover the power to change the world through community service
By Whitney Nichole Stevens
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Campus Life
As college students, it is important to remember how blessed we are. We are healthy, have clothes on our backs, places to live, food to eat, and minimal financial responsibilities. We are also blessed with an opportunity many people do not get throughout their lifetime-the chance to attend college. With this in mind, it is imperative that we take a step back from the daily drama our lives have to offer, and think about the things that really matter.
There is so much going on in the world and we have just as many issues to face here at Kean University. And it is up to us to make a difference and give back to our community, at Kean and abroad. You might be saying to yourself, "I'm only one student, what can I do?" Well don't worry, there's plenty! There are a variety of organizations you can join focusing on all areas of community service.
The first step in becoming a more active part of your community is choosing an organization or event with a mission geared toward a cause of interest to you. For example, Campus Crusades for Christ (CCC) is an international Christian ministry providing service to people all over the world. In previous years, CCC has sponsored trips to New Orleans, Louisiana to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief. And just so you know, you do NOT have to be a Christian to aid in their service missions. You can commit your time to helping others, with zero obligations and 100 percent self-satisfaction.
Over the years, Kean students, faculty, and administrators have given countless hours of their time to serve annual programs such as the Breast Cancer Walk, Heart Walk, and a workshop on domestic violence. There are also groups like Women's Circle and Men's Group playing a huge part in the development and mentorship of young women and men on campus. Both groups have monthly meetings geared towards the emotional and intellectual development of it's members, through a series of empowering discussions.
And of course, you can't forget the Greeks. Despite their differences, they have one major thing in common. They're dedication to service. It is not uncommon to see members of all Greek organizations supporting the different service events Kean has become involved in. Not to mention, every year, Greek Senate hosts the "Up Til' Dawn" program. This program is an event where Greeks and non-Greeks participate in a letter writing campaign to solicit donations from friends, family, and co-workers. All of the donations received are given to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Greeks also coordinate service programs such as Lambda Tutoring (Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity, Inc.), Adopt-A-Child (Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.), Books for Africa (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.), and Project Opportunity (Gamma Psi Epsilon Fraternity).
Greeks organizations are making an even bigger impact in their communities on a national and international level. Surae Delana Harris, senior Accounting major and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. said, "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service organization that operates by way of our 5 Point Thrust. We have established hospitals in Africa, set up mentoring programs for young women, and given out a number of scholarships. We all [Greek organizations] have made positive impacts in the lives of others and will hopefully continue to do so."
Community Service has become and will always be a huge part of the Kean community. And you can become apart of making a difference in someone's life. Before you go to sleep at night, count your blessings and reflect everything you are fortunate to have. It's a big world out there and assisting in change is not a one man/woman job. It's up to us to make it happen. And there's not time like the present.
There is so much going on in the world and we have just as many issues to face here at Kean University. And it is up to us to make a difference and give back to our community, at Kean and abroad. You might be saying to yourself, "I'm only one student, what can I do?" Well don't worry, there's plenty! There are a variety of organizations you can join focusing on all areas of community service.
The first step in becoming a more active part of your community is choosing an organization or event with a mission geared toward a cause of interest to you. For example, Campus Crusades for Christ (CCC) is an international Christian ministry providing service to people all over the world. In previous years, CCC has sponsored trips to New Orleans, Louisiana to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief. And just so you know, you do NOT have to be a Christian to aid in their service missions. You can commit your time to helping others, with zero obligations and 100 percent self-satisfaction.
Over the years, Kean students, faculty, and administrators have given countless hours of their time to serve annual programs such as the Breast Cancer Walk, Heart Walk, and a workshop on domestic violence. There are also groups like Women's Circle and Men's Group playing a huge part in the development and mentorship of young women and men on campus. Both groups have monthly meetings geared towards the emotional and intellectual development of it's members, through a series of empowering discussions.
And of course, you can't forget the Greeks. Despite their differences, they have one major thing in common. They're dedication to service. It is not uncommon to see members of all Greek organizations supporting the different service events Kean has become involved in. Not to mention, every year, Greek Senate hosts the "Up Til' Dawn" program. This program is an event where Greeks and non-Greeks participate in a letter writing campaign to solicit donations from friends, family, and co-workers. All of the donations received are given to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Greeks also coordinate service programs such as Lambda Tutoring (Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity, Inc.), Adopt-A-Child (Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.), Books for Africa (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.), and Project Opportunity (Gamma Psi Epsilon Fraternity).
Greeks organizations are making an even bigger impact in their communities on a national and international level. Surae Delana Harris, senior Accounting major and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. said, "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service organization that operates by way of our 5 Point Thrust. We have established hospitals in Africa, set up mentoring programs for young women, and given out a number of scholarships. We all [Greek organizations] have made positive impacts in the lives of others and will hopefully continue to do so."
Community Service has become and will always be a huge part of the Kean community. And you can become apart of making a difference in someone's life. Before you go to sleep at night, count your blessings and reflect everything you are fortunate to have. It's a big world out there and assisting in change is not a one man/woman job. It's up to us to make it happen. And there's not time like the present.