Volunteering on Broadway

My uniform! Check out the BC/EFA at broadwaycares.org

I've loved live theatre and the Broadway community for as long as I can remember. In fact, the accessibility to Broadway shows was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Fordham. I also love volunteering, so when I heard about an opportunity to volunteer with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (also known as BC/EFA), I was very excited to get involved.

The BC/EFA raises money to combat HIV/AIDS, and last semester, I signed up to be a volunteer for the Bucket Brigade. As a member of the Bucket Brigade, I stand with a red bucket at the end of participating Broadway shows and collect money for the BC/EFA during their fundraising seasons. I also sell autographed Playbills and fun souvenirs to benefit the cause. At the end of the collecting seasons, the BC/EFA celebrates with the Gypsy of the Year and Easter Bonnet Competitions where casts from Broadway shows perform both hilarious and moving original pieces.

It’s been an incredible experience to help with such a wonderful cause. Because I have a weekly night class at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, it’s very easy for me to walk over to the theatres and help out. There are so many ways to get involved around New York City, and this is one of my favorites. And the next time you go to a Broadway show, don’t forget to drop a dollar or two into the red bucket!

Fordham PhilRAMthropy

Fordham philanthropy – Fordham students for students!

In the true vision of men and women for others, Fordham students are committed to one another both on and off campus. Philanthropy is very much a large part of campus life, whether it is fundraising for scholarships or raising money for Global Outreach Trips. As a member of two philanthropic organizations, Fashion for Philanthropy and the Student Philanthropy Committee, as well as a former Fordham Annual Fund student-fundraiser, I can attest to this spirit of “giving back” on campus.

A picture of my friend on his Global Outreach trip in Mexico
which was funded by fellow classmates!

Flier of the different groups present at the
Student Philanthropy Fair

As an executive board representative of Fashion for Philanthropy, FFP, I had the chance to meet with other philanthropic groups on campus at the previous Philanthropy Fair. At the Fair, students held bake sales to raise money for their respective causes. Many students filtered in and out of the McGinley Center and stopped by the Fair to support their friends and the groups of which they were a part. I tabled for FFP in order to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. FFP is indicative of the philanthropic spirit on campus. Members raise money all year in support of our annual Fashion Show, whose proceeds directly profit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For example, throughout the year we will hold bake sales and food deliveries which are funded by fellow classmates. An example of another philanthropic organization on campus that was present at the Fair was the B+ Foundation, an organization where "kids help kids fight cancer." It is chapters like these that bring students together in the spirit of helping others and the community at large.

The Fair was a success on two levels – on a surface value, it helped raise money and awareness about different charitable causes; on a deeper level, the Fair exemplifies Fordham student’s commitment to one another.

FFP Table at the Fair!

Another example of on-campus philanthropy is the Student Philanthropy Committee, SPC, which seeks to work with other groups and departments on campus to help fundraise with the Development Office. For example, the SPC will be working with the Athletics Department and Career Services to jumpstart philanthropic efforts to make improvements within each office. As such, members of the SPC are Fordham students working for current and future Fordham students.

It is clear that there is a philanthropic spirit on campus, which I believe is unique to the Fordham experience. It is rare to find in competitive college settings students who are so willing to help their peers. I feel as though this spirit transcends campus and truly fosters strong community ties that exist even after graduation. Once a Ram, Always a Ram!

Poster distributed at the Fair promoting
the Bronx Community and its goings-on.
 

Fashion for Philanthropy

One of the reasons I love Fordham is its active campus life.  As of this year, there are over 100 clubs on campus which provides for a bustling environment here at Rose Hill.  I feel like this is best captured every year at our club fair where executive board members of each club promote their group.  I always find the fair amusing, as it seems to turn into a competition to see which club can have the most members sign up.  Club members surround Eddie’s Parade and play music, hand out candy, and even run around to bring attention to their table!  It is always an exciting day because it kicks off the school year on a positive note where students can reconnect through organization about which they passionate. 

Treats from our #PSL sale!

One club that I am particularly passionate about is Fashion for Philanthropy, also known on commonly on campus is FFP.  FFP is an outlet for Fordham’s fashion enthusiasts as it incorporates all aspects of the industry from business, design, modeling, and yes, even charity!  The club essentially puts on different events, both big and small, throughout the year to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation.  For example, this year, we have had a Mac and Cheese delivery bake sale and a Pumpkin Spice Latté station to help kick start the fall season.  I particularly enjoyed these events because it was a great way for club members to bond amidst the forthcoming chillier fall days that lie ahead.  Both were a big hit, especially the Pumpkin Spice Latté station where we even served some fall sweets and treats!  Great for the Halloween spirit!

I would say the club’s largest event is definitely our spring fashion show (we finally decided on a theme, which I am very excited about!).  This time of year is when we begin to primarily focus on the show as there are so many layers to its success.  First, we have to assemble and present a budget to OSLCD (Office of Student Leadership and Community Development) to put on the show with the necessary decorations, props, etc.  Then comes the process of gathering sponsors for the event, which have included in previous years Lord and Taylor, Pura Vida, and Jeffrey Campbell.  Amidst all of this, we also need to meet with student designers to showcase their pieces as well as train models for the show.  Ulitmately, all proceeds from the show, raised by raffles, prizes, tickets and donations go towards the Make A Wish Foundation – it’s a win win all around, and quite a fun production, so stay tuned!

Sponsor's from last year's show.

Pamphlets from last year's show.

As PR Coordinator of FFP, I am in charge of our club’s Wordpress blog account and social media forums.  I really enjoy working with our club members to discuss fashion as it is a creative outlet for us all.  That is what I love so much about this club – it represents a sector that is not typically promoted, and harnesses it in such a way to promote fashion as an art form and as an industry of its own.  There is so much that goes on in the fashion industry, from PR and Marketing, to designing and manufacturing, even law and ethics (which is what I am primarily interested in!), and we try our hardest to highlight all these different aspects for Fordham students.  We work very closely with Career Services to filter internship and job opportunities so that club members have access to such prospects and potential networking outlets.  Our members are definitely very busy – we even have a section on our blog called “Intern Diaries.” 

 

Model from last year's show, showcasing a piece from a Fordham student designer!

Fashion For Philanthropy is a club that has a strong mission and I look forward to see its growth during the rest of my time here at Fordham.  

Peer Health Exchange

Interested in volunteering? Interested in health or education? Want to make a positive impact on high school students? Then, Peer Health Exchange is the club for you! Peer Health Exchange, or PHE, is a non-profit organization, whose mission is to give teenagers the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy decisions.

How can students get involved? Undergraduate students can get involved by applying to be Health Educators (HEs) at www.peerhealthexchange.org/apply.  HEs are on a specific team and undergo training to teach one of the health workshops at public high schools that have no health education. To date, PHE has trained over 7,500 college student volunteers to bring health education to more than 96,000 public high schools located in the beloved NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington D.C.

A good and funny try at spelling P-H-E

 

What are the different health workshops? There’s a lot! To mention the ones taught through Fordham, the workshops are:

·         Sexual Decision-Making (SDM)

 

·         Pregnancy Prevention (PP)

 

·         Rape & Sexual Assault (RSA)

 

·         Abusive Relationships (AR)

 

·         Healthy Relationships (HR)

 

·         Mental Health (MH)

 

·         Nutrition & Physical Activity (NPA)

 

·         STIs & HIV

 

·         Decision-Making and Communication I & II (DMC I & II)

 

·         Drugs (DR)

 

·         Alcohol (AL)

 

·         Tobacco (TOB)

 

How many people are on each workshop team? Each team is led by one of the members of the Leadership Council (LC), with a Senior Health Educator (SHE), and three Health Educators (HEs). The wonderful Co-Coordinators (CCs) lead and manage all workshops, under the direction of our humble and hard-working Program Manager.

Here's my lovely fellow HE, sophomore Hannah Buckley!
We both teach SDM!

When do students apply? PHE recruits Health Educators during the fall and spring semesters. Once you apply, an interview process will be held with the AWESOME Leadership Council and Co-Coordinators! And who knows? Maybe if you’re a part of PHE, you’ll be so inspired to get more involved by applying to be a CC or LC or even a SHE!

 

 



Here's the great LC for SDM, senior Dan Mullen! Did I mention he's awesome?

 

  Even if you’re NOT interested in health or education, you can still get involved! I’m actually a business student. Of all the organizations I have been a part of, PHE is definitely the BEST! Not only will you make a difference by providing a much-needed service to students who are facing such high pressures that inhibit them from making healthy decisions, but you will also get to train and educate with fun and incredible people, who are some of the most genuine people I have ever met.



Fordham Peer Health Exchange

90% of teens who were educated in a PHE workshop intend to take what they learned to help them in making healthy decisions about what is right for them. I highly recommend PHE for students, who want to be a part of the fun, use tons of acronyms haha, but most importantly, be a part of inspiring others and making a difference!

 

An Event So Big It Took Two States To Host: Super Bowl XLVIII

As you all (hopefully) know, Super Bowl XLVIII was this past week, and both New York and New Jersey helped to host the event.  As a Fordham student, I had the lucky opportunity to volunteer for the Super Bowl!! The volunteering process was a long one that started back in early September at the Fordham club fair.  The next step was to make an account where I claimed to be a MetLife Stadium expert in hopes of working the actual game! However, I was not so lucky.  Probably for the best though, as I can’t tell you where the bathroom is from the exit. 

My ID with "MetLife Stadium Expertise" highlighted

Fast Forward through International Speak Like A Pirate Day, Leif Erikson Day, and the rest of a semester to Tuesday Jan 28^th, the start of Super Bowl Week and the day before my first shift on Super Bowl Boulevard!  To get mentally prepared for my first day on the job, I made a flipagram of me putting on every single article of clothing (since a major bonus of volunteering was the large quantity of free clothing!!) View it here and make sure to turn the volume up!

I was volunteering with my friend, Andrew Esoldi, and before our shift, we had a team meeting in Bryant Park to go over the guidelines and our exact locations. This was the moment I had been waiting for since my stadium expertise trick failed.  I may not have been at the stadium, but I definitely had the second best location: 41st and Broadway! Right in between the Toboggan Run and the NFL Network stage!!     

Our team meeting in Bryant Park   

The Toboggan Run at night

Backside of the Toboggan Run

Volunteering on the Boulevard was very exciting! We were able to see all of the dedicated fans from different teams.  There were all types of ways they showed their commitment to their favorite gridiron team.  I learned that a simple jersey was fools' play to these aficionados, so to pay a tribute I made a mental list of my top three favorite fans:

#1) Seahawks super fan with one blue eyebrow, one green eyebrow, and blue and green hair spiked higher than one would imagine possible. He's probably the original “12^th man.”

#2) Broncos devotee with a thick orange beard.  He was decked out in Denver apparel and continuously yelled “Omaha, Omaha!!” Occasionally “Hurry, Hurry,” but I wasn't sure if he was showing Peyton some support or just yelling at the slow crowds in front of him.

#3) Annoyed Jets fan who was (probably) angry that he bought a Sanchez jersey. To solve this conundrum, he simply used tape to cross out Sanchez.  It’s like a whole new jersey now!

Favorite Fan #3

Along with enjoying all of the fans and the atmosphere, I also think we did a pretty good job of volunteering (if I do say so myself!) Probably around 99.9% of the questions were about these badges to get into certain events and where to get the Toboggan Run tickets, but we totally aced them! Although, we may have sent one or two fans in the wrong direction at first.  Third time's a charm though, right?

With my sister after my first shift

Super Bowl Boulevard street sign

The Super Bowl Roman Numerals

With my roommate, Pat, and neighbor, Gianna

Even though the game may not have been memorable, in the end this will definitely be our most memorable Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLVIII: the first cold weather Super Bowl, an event so big it took two states to host!