By Angelina Castro '16
Charity Week is a time-honored tradition at Siena College. Students put Franciscan values into action by raising money for a local charity. The Student Events Board runs the initiative and this year, it used a web-based survey of the Siena community to help choose the charity, the Miracle League of the Capital Region.
The Miracle League is a non-profit organization that gives athletes with special needs the chance to develop athletically, socially and emotionally. The organization was founded in Georgia in April 2000 and now has 60 locations across the country. The Capital Region location in East Greenbush offers several sports to special needs particpants of all ages, including baseball, basketball, football and soccer. Charity Week Co-Chair Kate Bender ’16 feels that Siena students can relate to the work being done by the Miracle League of the Capital Region.
“I think a lot of people picked it because we have such a huge athletic presence on campus. It was a great organization for us to build a partnership with,” said Bender. “A lot of the participants from Best Buddies also go to the Miracle League to participate in sports, so it was cool to see that overlap.”
During the week the Student Events Board held a series of fun and educational events to raise money, including charity bingo, a gala and a live auction. The Siena community contributed items such as dinner with the president and a townhouse cleaning to be auctioned off in support of the Miracle League.
Maria Hyland ’17 is a member of the Siena College Women’s Rugby Club. Every year during the charity auction, the team performs a dance and offers to clean a townhouse or dorm room.
“It was great to be a part of something that would touch so many lives. I feel honored,” Hyland shares.
Coffeehouse Co-Chair Arianna Mielke ’15 hosted charity bingo. She has been on Student Events Board throughout her Siena experience and enjoys the chance to help the community.
“Charity week is a nice part of the SEB because it is where we can really give back to the community and use our event planning skills to help others,” said Mielke.
Bender was excited to be a part of such a rewarding experience. She hopes Charity Week is just the beginning of her connection with the Miracle League of the Capital Region. Bender and co-chair Clint Kaczegowicz ’16 hope to remain connected with this organization in the future.
“Because of the DORS (diversity, optimism, respect and service) initiative and our Franciscan tradition at Siena, we really wanted this to be service based, not just to collect money and hand it out,” said Bender. “They need volunteers all the time to participate in the sporting events with the students and the adults who are there.”
