There is a time to work hard and a time to relax and celebrate that work. And at the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service last weekend, we stumbled upon a pair of boots with just this vibe. The owner, we imagine, dropped these on the Riley Ellipse in the rush to line up for delicious food and to meet up with friends who also came back from their service sites.

As Falvey’s Cat in the Stax, Rebecca writes articles covering a broad range of topics, from academics to hobbies to random events. All the while highlighting how Falvey Library can enhance your Villanova experience!

A group of volunteers participate in a sock collection

Villanova’s Day of Service occurred this past Saturday. This annual event is organized in honor of the University’s patron saint, St. Thomas of Villanova, who was known for being charitable to the poor and marginalized. Each year, over 5,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni,and their families work with neighborhood agencies to perform acts of service throughout Greater Philadelphia.

If you missed this year’s Day of Service, don’t fret! There are still plenty of volunteer opportunities you can engage in throughout the year. Two upcoming events you can volunteer for are The Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival (Nov. 3-5) and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (Jan. 15, 2024). Register for these events today!

Looking to make an impact in your local community? Villanova’s Campus Ministry offers smaller service opportunities throughout the semester.

Also be on the lookout for the Holiday Outreach Programs when they come around. Campus Ministry hosts a Thanksgiving Drive in November which involves delivering Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Volunteers are needed to help collect and deliver donations. In December, a Christmas Outreach provides multiple options to give to others. You could “adopt a family” though Villanova’s partnership with North Light Community Center, donate gift cards or contribute to Amazon Wishlists, support a toy drive, or help deliver gifts.

Villanova provides many chances to get involved in the surrounding community and make a difference in the lives of others. Please consider donating some of your time this semester to helping those in need. You generosity truly makes a difference!

Rebecca Amrick is a first year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Photo courtesy of Tom Costello Jr.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, volunteers from Falvey Memorial Library, the Law Library, and Peer Ministry participated in the annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service. Teaming with Tom Costello Jr. ’69 COE, founder of The Joy of Sox, the group assisted in cleaning and painting the organization’s warehouse, sorting and taking inventory of socks, and assembling shelving. The Joy of Sox is a nonprofit organization that collects and purchases new socks to distribute to the homeless. The group’s Day of Service work was covered by the Philadelphia Inquirer! In all, they sorted nearly 4,000 pairs of socks for distribution.

Kallie Stahl ’17 MA is Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Memorial Library.