We Are Called: Inauguration Service Saturday

On Saturday, April 8, 2017, many students, faculty, alumni, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) and others came together to volunteer and to in part mark the inauguration of Viterbo’s ninth University President, Glena Temple. In total, 327 volunteers served at 19 community service sites for this Service Saturday due to the work of Director of Undergraduate Research and Service Learning Kirsten Gabriel.

Service Saturdays occur three to four times a semester, and their goal is to bring the Viterbo community together to serve the community. Their goal is to introduce people to serving and to create a sense of community at Viterbo. Nicole Fronek, a student leader of Service Saturdays, said, “My favorite part about Service Saturdays is that we bring together people from all different backgrounds, from Viterbo and the La Crosse community, and everyone works together towards a common goal.”

The sites included the FSPA Organic Garden, the WAFER food pantry, the Salvation Army, the Place of Grace, the Boys and Girls Club, the Children's Museum, the City of La Crosse Park Clean-Up, the La Crosse Parks and Recreation, Together We Grow, Bethany on Cass, Habitat for Humanity, Habitat Restoration Project, St. Rose Convent and Hillview Senior Center

Terese Radke, a student volunteer, spent her time volunteering at the Children’s Museum. At this site, she along with other students and alumni, cleaned before the museum opened and helped prepare the museum for an Easter Egg Hunt. Radke has served multiple times with Service Saturdays, and she said, “It was great to have so many volunteers participating to do service. It was nice seeing so many different people like alumni, FSPA, teachers, family members and students going out to serve. I think it really shows how Viterbo's community cares for the La Crosse community.”

At the WAFER site, volunteers painted the exterior of the building and at the La Crosse Parks and Recreation, the volunteers spent their time clearing brush.

Overall this Service Saturday was different from the others due to the event being connected to the inauguration and having many more participants. There was a large set-up, more sites to coordinate and more site leaders . To honor and to celebrate the inauguration, speakers came and a special prayer was given by the FSPA.

In reflection on the day, Radke stated, “Service is always a good way to spend your day because whether or not you enjoy it (which you usually will), you are helping out someone who needs it and that is really worthwhile.”