Seton Hill students fan out Saturday to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s call to service

Molly Carbone knows a little something about power tools, so Saturday morning she put her skills to work to help the community.

Carbone, a senior theater design technology major at Seton Hill University, was one of about 100 students who donated their time to participate in the school’s 25th annual “Take the Day On.” It’s a program designed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his call to serve the community through volunteer work.

“This is something I’m good at,” Carbone said, noting that she is a carpenter who builds sets for Seton Hill’s theater department. “I like to do this work. I am a blessed person, and it is good to be good.”

Carbone’s job Saturday morning was to build and install doors as part of a project to rehabilitate a family home in South Greensburg for the Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity. She and nine other students cleaned, painted and performed other chores as part of their volunteer work.

“They are amazing,” Lydia Lofstrom, the project’s construction manager, said. She said the rehabilitation work started in November 2018 is nearing its April completion date. “When the students come, they have incredible attitudes and will do anything we ask. It’s a huge help.”

The house rehab work was one of more than 12 projects Seton Hill students tackled as part of the school’s annual service initiative.

“The purpose is to understand Dr. King’s message and to bring his humanity to our community,” said Marissa Haynes, Seton’s Hill’s director of service experience.

Classes for the current semester at Seton Hill didn’t begin until after last month’s national holiday to commemorate King, so the school scheduled its volunteer day for this weekend. Haynes said in past years, participation was usually doubled, but this weekend’s cold and snowy weather resulted in fewer students able to come out and work.

Students were dispatched to local nonprofit organizations such as elderly housing complexes, libraries, religious centers and animal shelters for about three hours of work.

Organizers called the event an important community effort designed to embrace Dr. King’s values.

“We are all part of the human race. If we don’t give back to each other, what are we doing while we’re here on this Earth,” Keisha Jimmerson, associate dean of students at Seton Hill, said. “It only does him justice to continue his legacy and have us take the day of service. It goes to the mission of Seton Hill University and what the Sisters of Charity believe in.”

Caitlin Wolfe, a sophomore from Marion, Va., took a group of five students to Youngwood to help care for the 24 dogs, 26 cats and two rabbits living at the Animal Friends of Westmoreland County shelter. The volunteers walked dogs, played with cats and cleaned cages Saturday morning.

“I volunteer here every week, and I love seeing the animals,” Wolfe said. “I think this is a great opportunity for students to serve the community.”

Kim Crosby, volunteer coordinator for Animal Friends, said the organization was appreciative of all the students’ help.

“We’re thankful they chose our organization to dedicate their time,” Crosby said.