| In a world too often fraught with a “what’s in it for me” and “take, take, take,” attitudes, it was quite refreshing to attend the recent Lasallian Volunteer ComMissioning Service, where 47 young adults pledged to “give, give, give” of their time and services to those in need.
Kristen Cornicello is the organizer, planner and researcher of our family. As graduation from Villanova University approached, she came to us and told us that she was interested in joining a Volunteer service organization. We knew this was a decision she had thought long and hard about, and was not being made lightly. We quickly realized that Kristen was living her faith.
The response from those in our family and community concerning what Kristen has been doing since graduation is often one of puzzlement. We do a lot of explaining about what a “Volunteer service organization” is. Kristen’s enthusiasm for the projects she undertakes is truly infectious. She has not kept her Volunteerism to herself. When a recent sibling of a San Miguel student gave birth to a baby boy, Kristen rounded up all those we know, seeking clothes for this infant. The outpouring of items from friends, family and neighbors was overwhelming.
During last year, while serving as a Physical Education instructor, she wanted to expose the students of San Miguel to the sport of lacrosse, a sport which she started participating in while in Middle School, through college, and continues to participate in a club program. She contacted a local Long Island sports equipment merchant, as well as made contact with friends and former players, seeking any donations of equipment. Once again, the people came through. The students at San Miguel were introduced to the sport of lacrosse for the first time this past spring, and the school is now equipped to continue this program in the future years as well. It is yet another example of Kristen not only living her faith, but encouraging others to do so as well.
Her first year just flew by so quickly, and her desire to continue in the program for a second year met easily with our approval. Kristen has grown fond of the many aspects of the Lasallian Community. The students she works with, the people she lives with, and the various other people she is in contact with who in one way or another are associated with the Lasallian community, all provide seeds for encouragement to her. Her participation in a second year went much further than the scholarship opportunities afforded those who choose to stay, but was with the reward that giving to others can only provide.
Throughout her school years we participated in many of Kristen’s activities. It came as no surprise that we were able to visit her Lasallian Community in Chicago, attend a dinner in Goshen for the mid-year retreat, and attend the comMissioning ceremony this past summer. We have seen her grow in her faith, blossoming into a caring and loving young woman, due in large part to her involvement in the Lasallian Volunteer Program. |
