2008 Woodie Awards
Hand in Hand continues to help community locals with special needs, expands to Creighton
Gina Parisi '09
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News
On Saturday, April 5, many gathered in the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse to celebrate the 32nd annual Hand in Hand, a day of service organized by Saint Joseph's students for members of the surrounding community with special needs, both physical and mental.
Alyssa D'Amore, '09 and Jenna Sweeney,'09, co-directors for Hand in Hand, worked together to plan weekly meetings, organize fundraisers, and make sure that everything necessary for the event was prepared and completed.
"Hand in Hand's main goal is to promote awareness for individuals with special needs and it's a day where the Saint Joseph's community and the outside community come together for this festival for a day of fun and laughter," said Sweeney.
According to Sweeney, students, faculty, and staff of Saint Joseph's, along with students of high schools and middle schools in the surrounding area, came together in order to make the day a success. These individuals signed up for a variety of different tasks such as working the games, running the activity stands, and escorting the guests with special needs around to the different areas of the building.
The morning began with the individuals who signed up to be "friends" (people who walked around and assisted a person with special needs) meeting their guests for the first time. The "friends" entered the room from one side and the guests entered from the other until they both met in the center of the room and went off to begin taking part in the festivities.
Throughout the remainder of the day the guests circulated the room stopping to participate in the activities of their choice. In addition, a magician circulated the room and performed tricks, members of the Philadelphia Zoo brought small animals, and people dressed in costumes interacted with the guests by posing for pictures and giving them stickers to take home.
"I am a Special Education major and I really enjoy working with people with special needs and giving back to the community," said Sweeney. "This is an event they look forward to all year. If you look around the room throughout the day, you don't see one person without a smile on their face."
Alyssa D'Amore, '09 and Jenna Sweeney,'09, co-directors for Hand in Hand, worked together to plan weekly meetings, organize fundraisers, and make sure that everything necessary for the event was prepared and completed.
"Hand in Hand's main goal is to promote awareness for individuals with special needs and it's a day where the Saint Joseph's community and the outside community come together for this festival for a day of fun and laughter," said Sweeney.
According to Sweeney, students, faculty, and staff of Saint Joseph's, along with students of high schools and middle schools in the surrounding area, came together in order to make the day a success. These individuals signed up for a variety of different tasks such as working the games, running the activity stands, and escorting the guests with special needs around to the different areas of the building.
The morning began with the individuals who signed up to be "friends" (people who walked around and assisted a person with special needs) meeting their guests for the first time. The "friends" entered the room from one side and the guests entered from the other until they both met in the center of the room and went off to begin taking part in the festivities.
Throughout the remainder of the day the guests circulated the room stopping to participate in the activities of their choice. In addition, a magician circulated the room and performed tricks, members of the Philadelphia Zoo brought small animals, and people dressed in costumes interacted with the guests by posing for pictures and giving them stickers to take home.
"I am a Special Education major and I really enjoy working with people with special needs and giving back to the community," said Sweeney. "This is an event they look forward to all year. If you look around the room throughout the day, you don't see one person without a smile on their face."
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