Service
Hesburgh Video
We Celebrate Fr. Hesburgh Through Service
One of the things I am most proud of at the University of Notre Dame is the tradition of service among the entire Notre Dame family." ~ Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C.
What began as a way to celebrate Father Hesburgh’s 90th birthday in 2007 has become an annual event. This May the Notre Dame Alumni Association will host its third Hesburgh Month of Service. Every year, thousands of Domers volunteer to serve Notre Dame and Notre Dame-related projects around the world. Through their generous gifts of time and energy, dedicated alumni demonstrate their “leadership in building a society that is at once more human and more divine,” in fulfillment of the University’s mission. This universal month of service has become another legacy of Fr. Hesburgh’s.
In 2007 more than 115 clubs/groups participated in over 135 projects. Over 100,000 items were donated, 4000 meals served, 40 community centers improved, and tens of thousands of dollars raised. Last year 93 clubs/groups completed 130 projects in honor of Fr. Hesburgh.
“If a club or class needs an idea for a service project, we can work with them to develop something to fit their needs and the needs of their community,” Katie Zakas says. Participating groups also have the option of partnering with local organizations or service agencies, like Catholic Charities or the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE).
“We are encouraging our clubs and classes to contact these affiliate agencies and partner with them to target the needs in their local communities and find areas in which they want to give back,” Zakas continues. Catholic Charities has local affiliate agencies in all major cities across the United States. The Alliance for Catholic Education has communities of teachers that serve at under resourced Catholic schools in cities across America.
For more information, contact Katie Zakas ’04, Director of Service, Notre Dame Alumni Association (574)631-6723 kzakas@nd.edu
