Community Services Program

Annual community service banquet fosters good will

The Torch, May 4^th, 2006, By Sarah Chouinard

On Monday, May 1, the Sunset Room was bursting with joy and enthusiasm, as some of the most compassionate and selfless people who can be found on the UMass Dartmouth campus were gathered to celebrate each other’s accomplishments.

For the fifth annual Community Service Banquet, Deirdre Healy, Monica Faria and the ladies of the Career Resource Center (CRC) pooled their time and energy to organize this special event.

Upon arrival, participants were asked to participate in a banner project that involved writing their personal sentiments about what they would like to see changed in the world.

Written largely in the middle of this banner were the words “Be the change you want to see in the world.” In other words, do not just believe that something should be changed, but become active in making these changes happen. Do not fall back on saying, “What can one person do?” Change starts from somewhere, and with courage, energy and fervor, others will join in, and the desired good will become reality.

Following registration, participants were welcomed by Deirdre Healy, who is well known at UMass for her stead-fast dedication to promoting community service and facilitating the process through which individuals can become involved. She introduced Brian Pastori, who was invited to speak about the current issues of immigration. He explained what people can do to increase their understanding and awareness of the importance of this issue.

Eventually, participants were invited to eat dinner, during which the official recognition banquet took place. To make things more fun, throughout the banquet, various prizes were raffled, including t-shirts, gym bags and other gifts.

Healy was sure to recognize Monica Faria, who is an Ameri-Corps volunteer and has worked at UMass for the past year, revitalizing the AmericaREADS programs, as well as providing assistance to countless other projects.

As Healy said, “We are giving an angel to our Angel,” when offering Faria a pin of appreciation.

Others who were invited to this event came from a variety of service groups on campus, including AmericaREADS, Service Learning Task Force, Meal for Meal, Pedals for Progress, Scholarship for Service Americorps program, Adopt-a-Shoreline, Rotaract, Making a Difference Radio Show, SIFE, VITA, Habitat for Humanity, Social Change Society, Amnesty International, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and Liberating Women.

In order to show recognition and appreciation for the efforts of the various students and faculty members who have tirelessly participated in community service activities, each individual was awarded with a certificate and heartfelt words of praise.

Each certificate mentioned recognition for an individual’s “exemplary commitment to community service...to honor those who have dedicated their time and effort to make a positive difference in our community.”

Both the certificates and the programs for this event encompassed a motivational quote by Margaret Fuller (1810-1850), journalist, critic and women’s rights activist, reading “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles on it.”

Such a quote wholly embodies the ideal that community service participants should continually share themselves with others, especially those who are less fortunate. That is why this banquet is so important in encouraging participants to forever maintain their service ethic throughout their lives. To make a difference in someone else’s life is a gift in and of itself.