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Service Week helps campus get in touch with Franciscan values

in OPINION/Staff Editorial by

“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Even with practically unlimited resources and volunteers, this idea can still ring true. St. Bonaventure’s community service group, BonaResponds, understands this and has decided to adapt one of its biggest projects so more people have the opportunity to come together and make a difference.

This year, International Service Day will become International Service Week, according to the BonaResponds website.

The volunteering kicks off today and will continue until April 15. It is a great opportunity for SGA-sponsored clubs to fulfill their required number of community service hours, or for students who simply want to get in touch with the Franciscan spirit of their school.

“We think that community service reflects the Franciscan values that the university demonstrates in numerous ways,” SGA president Cody Clifford said.

And we don’t need to wait until this one time a year to volunteer. “Whether it is International Service Day or just a random day here on campus, there are always so many service opportunities for students to get involved with,” Clifford said.

There is a plethora of accessible community service projects available, so make sure to do your part.

Whether it is helping out at the Cattaraugus County SPCA, being a role model for children in the Bona Buddies program, helping out at the Warming House or giving back in another way, it is our duty to uphold the Franciscan values with community service.

Do not limit yourself to volunteering once a year. Volunteering is a good way to learn more about what is going on at Bonaventure and meet new people.

It is not an all-day commitment to serve food at the Warming House. Just a few hours of your time could mean the world to someone else.

All SGA-sponsored clubs have a number of community service hours that they are obligated to complete. Contrary to what some club members may think, SGA did not devise this plan for the sake of obtaining some free labor from students.

After the clubs have finished giving back to the community,  they are required to fill out a form that reflects on their experience.

“In the past it was pretty much just a few simple questions and a signature,” Clifford said. “This year we have added a reflection section to the form in hopes to remind club members of our Franciscan values and look back at what they gained from their service work.”

By the end of our time here, we will have gained a degree, but hopefully we will have gained something else; the understanding that when we come together to get something done, we can achieve much more.

The Olean and Allegany area is our home away from home while school is in session. Why not help to improve it? No matter how small the action may be, every good deed can make a difference. Take some initiative and make a change in someone else’s life.

This editorial represents the opinion of The Bona Venture staff.

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