This past Saturday, Sept. 6, more than 5,000 Villanova students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends volunteered at the 19th annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service. To commemorate this ongoing legacy, Villanovans volunteered their time at a variety of service sites, including schools, gardens, churches and more. This year’s participants were representative of all types of on-campus groups, backgrounds, identities and interests, as they united to serve with one mission: to give back to the community.
This annual tradition began in 2006 as an initiative for the Inauguration of University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. The day was named in honor of the 16th century Augustinian, St. Thomas of Villanova, who devoted his life volunteering service to the less fortunate. Today, Villanova’s Day of Service is one of Delaware Valley’s largest one-day service initiatives.
“Bringing us together in the spirit of Caritas, the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service is a wonderful reflection of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic heritage, values and mission,” Father Peter said on Villanova’s website. “It is an incredibly meaningful and important tradition for our community, and I look forward to taking part each fall.”
This eagerness creates an enthusiastic atmosphere that is contagious to the day’s volunteers. Although the event took place on just the second weekend of the school year, the energy and excitement were unmatched.
Some members of the Villanova community even began the Day of Service-related festivities on Friday night as they prepared sandwiches for Saturday’s volunteers. This year, Dr. Stephanie Katz Linkmeyer, Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry, assisted in the making of thousands of sandwiches.
“I love to give back,” Linkmeyer said. “Villanova has taught me how much more robust your life can be by giving back to others, to your community, to each other. Thousands of people go to different sites and make a difference in our community, and nothing makes me happier.”
Some on-campus groups were assigned to service sites closely related to their area of interest.
“As a dance group, we are really excited this year to be volunteering at the Georgia E. Gregory Interdenominational School of Music in Philadelphia,” said Emma Lane, 2023 Day of Service Group Leader for NOVAnoise and returning participant. “This site is right up our alley.”
While many of the day’s volunteers were returning members, Day of Service also provided first-year students a beautiful segue into Villanova’s mission of service.
“Villanova’s mission is centered around finding ourselves in the world,” Robert Vagnini, Orientation Counselor and Day of Service Group Leader, said. “Through a restless endeavor to uncover our passions, dreams and ambitions, Villanova is rooted in helping students actualize the impact they can make on the world. By introducing first-year students to this life of selflessness, they too can begin to discover the impact they can have on the world.”
On Saturday, first-year students served with their orientation groups to witness what it means to be a Villanovan.
Because the orientation program ended just over two weeks ago, first-year students appreciated the opportunity to reunite with their friends, while also partaking in community service.
“It was really great to connect with the [orientation] group again in a setting where we were giving back to the community,” Chris Brady, first-year student who served with Orientation Group #41, said. “It was also a great opportunity to come out and experience the Philly community.”
Megan Lawn, first-year student who volunteered with Orientation Group #64, shared similar sentiments.
“I loved being included in the St. Thomas Day of Service, where I was able to give back to the community and also have a lot of fun while getting closer to my peers,” Lawn said. “I’m so happy that Villanova gives us the chance to carry out the school’s values in such an impactful way, while simultaneously connecting [its] inner Wildcat community together in the process.”
The Day of Service Committee works tirelessly each year, ensuring the day’s success. For Service Site Committee Member Jasmine Srivastava, the greatest part of the Day of Service is “everyone coming together to offer their time to the greater Philly area to further help our community.” The 19th annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service was a success, and students thoroughly enjoyed their Saturday of service. Students look forward to celebrating the 20th annual Day of Service next fall.
