Giving back to the community is a wonderful thought isn't it. However sometimes those great thoughts can lead to zero action. We all have great intentions of helping those who are less fortunate, but how many people actually follow through on those commitments?
Mr. Pat Powers, Youth Ministry coordinator, who is in charge of service sites said that more than 200 students signed up this year for service opportunities. He days he knows that there have been problems in the past with people not showing up for their scheduled sites and he hopes that that will not happen this yea r.
"I signed up for Habitat for Humanity to help people because that is what it's for," said sophomore Noel Gregory. That is the basic idea for most Marian students volunteering their spare time, to lend a hand to those who need it.
The people Marian students reach out to are not the only ones being touched by the experience. Senior Michelle Mueller has been in the Servants of Mary Mother House program for four years talking with the same Servite. Mueller talks to Sister once a week. "She feels like one of the family," said Mueller.
Going and helping people is not as easy as it sounds. It takes much planning to organize to choose who where and when they go. So when student site-coordinators, who are fellow Marian students, begin their jobs, it takes a lot of time and energy. They are chosen at the end of each school year for the next years sites.
When people don't stick to their word it makes it much more difficult to plan events. "You have to be committed," said junior Jenny Poell, coordinator for the Shelter for Women and Children, "because it makes it harder for me to organize because all those who sign up donŐt follow through."
There are those who commit 100 recent to the project and they are dedicated. They show up on time, return, and finish the project. These are the students who gain from the experience. Mr. Powers said, "Most sign up to get involved to know themselves, other students and others in the community."