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9/20/10

Maryville University students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteered their time and talents throughout the greater St. Louis area on Tuesday, Sept. 14, for the third annual “Maryville Reaches Out,” a day devoted to community service. Day classes were canceled in support of the initiative.

“Many members of the Maryville community gave generously of their time and energy, a reflection of the compassionate spirit and social responsibility fostered at this great University.  The number of participants and agencies served increases each year, a testament to the good work and positive outcomes of a day devoted to giving back,” said President Mark Lombardi.

Teams of Maryville representatives assisted a broad roster of more nearly 80 local agencies. Projects included painting and outdoor clean-up efforts for neighborhood homes, charitable organizations and museums, such as Laumeier Sculpture Park; office help, organizing and sorting donations for agencies such as Jewish Family and Children’s Service Harvey Kornblum Food Pantry; and tutoring and craft projects for both young children and older adults at agencies and schools, such as the Essic Robinson Head Start Center in Alton, Ill.

“When your vibrant Maryville students spend time with our preschoolers, it helps instill a value for learning in the children and provides kind, positive attention, which many do not receive at home. It lets our staff know that their work is valued by the community,” said Debby Edelman, public relations director for Riverbend Head Start & Family Services. “For the third year in a row, students from Maryville University have reached out to our Essic Robinson Head Start Center, where we teach 400 low-income preschoolers and their parents positive skills to succeed in life. We now consider Maryville Reaches Out a tradition.”

Food preparation, letter-writing, blanket-making and other activities were hosted on campus for employees and students who could not travel to other locations.

Photo: John Meyer, a sport business management major, showed his mettle when he agreed to dress up with preschoolers at the Essic Robinson Head Start Center in Alton, Ill.

 
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a four-year, private university located in west St. Louis County. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Colleges in the Regional Universities – Midwest category, Maryville University students may choose from 50 academic programs, including degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Among recent graduates, 82 percent are employed or attending graduate school. More than 16,000 Maryville alumni work and live in the St. Louis region.

Catherine Boelhauf