Aurora University students fill 'cupboard'
Kathy Breen was busy Saturday fielding cell phone calls and serving as a tactical officer.
She was coordinating tasks and fetching supplies at Assisi Homes-Batavia Apartments in Batavia where is she is the resident services coordinator.
Breen was OK with the work.
She welcomed more than 20 Aurora University students and a few faculty members who volunteered their time helping at the complex for low-income residents.
Despite facing final exams in just two weeks, the volunteers sorted clothes, painted walls and wrapped toys and books that had been donated for holiday gifts.
One team -- armed with paint and rollers -- transformed a storage area into a lounge where residents can play bingo, watch TV, listen to music or simply relax.
"I don't think those walls have been painted since the 1970s," Breen said as she expressed her gratitude.
"It's amazing to have the volunteers here, giving back to the community and to the underprivileged," she added.
About the time Breen lost two of her regular volunteers because of health problems, she got a call from Gabriel Cruz, a senior at Aurora University.
Cruz helped coordinate the volunteer project, which was sponsored by the university's Residence Life office.
"I ran a camp for kids here over the summer," said Cruz, who works as a resident assistant at the university.
"We read books, went on outings," he said. "I did some education, and we even golfed. Kathy (Breen) did a great job planning it, and I know she can always use help."
Megha Dhimar, a junior nursing student originally from India, wrapped gifts in a spacious but crowded storage room.
"I want to help the community, and I can get to know the culture better in a society I'm not familiar with," Dhimar said. "This can help me learn more about how they need help and prepare myself for community education."
There are 290 apartments in the complex, and 265 are for low-income residents, according to Breen. Of the 620 residents living there, 320 are children.
Breen receives donations of clothing, books, food and household items from businesses and individuals. She runs what she calls the "cupboard" where residents can pick up needed items.
For information on volunteering, call Breen at (630) 879-3117.