HUHC Service Corps

I was never really interested in community service. It just didn’t seem like it was for me. But then I got an e-mail from Dean Russell a couple of years ago that talked about starting something called HUHC Service Corps. I’m not sure why I decided to join but it’s a decision that I’m glad I made.

HUHC Service Corps is a group of Honors College students that heads to the Interfaith Nutrition Network (the INN), just about five minutes down the road, every other Friday afternoon. We get there after the meals are served at lunchtime but there’s still much to be done.

Heather Bezarro is a senior and has been involved with the Service Corps since its inception in her second semester at Hofstra. She calls it an extremely rewarding experience. “The staff at the INN is wonderful, and so appreciative of the work that we've done with them, and their gratitude really helps me feel like I've accomplished something worthwhile,” she says. “I've done everything from painting their dining room to sweeping the kitchen to sorting hundreds of frozen turkeys for their Thanksgiving feast, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Working at the INN reminds me of how fortunate I am, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the Service Corps to help those in need.”

“The INN is a great place and a great way to give back to the community,” says senior Shoel Khodai. “All the services they provide for the area surrounding Hofstra and throughout Long Island, such as serving hot meals, giving clothing to entire families, providing shelter, and even helping people get back into the workforce, allow those in need to survive. Once you volunteer, you're hooked. This is just a great organization and I love it.”

One of my favorite memories is of PeggyAnn teaching me how to paint. We used to be called on to do that a lot. It was very fulfilling when the dining room walls we had painted ended up in Newsday a few days later.

We expanded our reach last spring under the guidance of Michelle Lisi. For weeks we painted and decorated hundreds of bookmarks for special education students and eventually got to deliver them to the Variety Child Learning Center in Syosset. It was a lot of fun working with the little kids and helping them choose books to read.

I’ve made a lot of friends working with the Service Corps, including Heather and Shoel. It’s a great experience that really gives back.

Sounds like something you’d want to do? Look for the sign up sheets in the HUHC Living Room or search for “HUHC Service Corps” on Facebook to find the group and stay connected. There are just four more dates for this semester: October 26th, November 9th, November 30th and December 7th (all Fridays from 3-5 p.m.).

We’d love to have you join us.