Labor of Love 2008 – Setonian Online

The 14th annual Seton Hill University (SHU) Labor of Love event kicked off on Saturday 13, 2008 in the Griffin Lounge at 8:00 am. This tradition originally took place on Labor Day weekend, earning it the term Labor of Love. The event was organized and led by Cynthia Boland, director of campus ministry. Seven faculty and 110 students participated in this year’s Labor of Love, making this the largest group ever to volunteer.

“The day has always started with a kick-off in which a Sister of Charity describes how charity and social justice have long been a legacy and tradition of the Sisters of Charity, and how it has been passed on to become an inherent part of the life of Seton Hill University since its founding,” said Boland.

By Maddie Gillespie

Layout Editor

Some students had previously signed up for designated charity locations while others came forth that day to devote their time to helping others. The cross country team was particularly notable in numbers. There were nine groups in total consisting of both students and staff that formed on Saturday morning to go out to the following locations: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Food Pantry, Christian Layman Store, Greensburg Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Redstone Highlands Health Care, Green Meadows (located in Latrobe), Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity, Caritas Christi, the SHU Green Commitment, Rebuilding Together-Pittsburgh.

Laura Gonnella, a sophomore, was part of a group of that traveled to the Red Stone Highlands Health Care in Greensburg, PA. With a total of over 70 elderly residents, Redstone Highlands is a large facility. This made it an opportune place for the Labor of Love participants to spend some quality time with the residents. Upon their arrival, the 12 students spilt into partners teams so as to disperse amongst the residents. “We asked them questions about where they were born and what they liked to do growing up,” said Gonnella.

Several group members gathered in the Assisted Living area of the home. It was here that Gonnella and her partner met two particular residents “They told us how they grew up together and they’ve been best friends for as long as they can remember. One of the ladies also told us about her travels to the Middle East. It was a very entertaining morning and my roommate and I plan on frequently visiting,” said Gonnella.

Another group of nine students took a bus to the Green Meadows at Latrobe, roughly a 15 minute drive. They too were organized into small groups and sent out to visit the residents. Chelsea Bloam, a sophomore, engaged in various activities with the residents so as to keep them active. “We spent time with the residents doing arts and crafts and making leaf door tags, the residents all seemed to really like them!” said Bloam.

Bingo and dominoes seemed to be the true favorites of both the residents and the students who played with them. Julia Whidden, a sophomore, additionally traveled to Green Meadows. Of their departure she said, “We talked the whole bus ride back to campus about how we can’t wait to go back and see our new friends! Labor of Love is such a great tradition and I’m so glad I had to opportunity to do it this year!”

Stephanie Isacco , a sophomore and member of the cross country team, went to the local Greensburg YMCA. “… there were about 20 of us that went and we wiped walls and exercise machines and did other various tasks for the understaffed Y. They really appreciated what we were doing, and not just the people in charge, but also the community members using the facilities,” said Isacco. She also noted that both Channel 11 and the Tribune Review were present during her groups time at the YMCA. When they were told about the Labor of Love event that the students were currently participating in, Isacco said, “They were really interested in what Seton Hill is doing for the community.”