Benedictine University freshmen join in sixth annual 'Be Impactful' community service program

As part of its sixth annual "Be Impactful" program, more than 300 incoming freshmen at Benedictine University in Lisle recently conducted a collective 600-plus hours of community service at 17 nonprofit organizations throughout the western suburbs - all in a single afternoon.

"Be Impactful" took place Aug. 25 when a fleet of buses and vans transported groups of Benedictine students to the following nonprofits: DuPage PADS, Forest Preserve of DuPage County, The Conservation Foundation, Nativity House Catholic Worker, SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education), Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, We Grow Dreams Inc., West Suburban Community Pantry, YWCA, Metropolitan Family Shelter Services, Congregation Beth Shalom, Catholic Charities-Hope House, BenU Community Garden & Environmental Sustainability at Benedictine University, BenU Grounds, St. Procopius Abbey, Sacred Heart Monastery Grotto, Islamic Center of Naperville, St. Margaret Mary, and Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry.

A core activity of Benedictine's freshman orientation, and part of the university's Interfaith Studies program, "Be Impactful" introduces Benedictine students to one of the university's essential core values: to promote volunteerism, stewardship and giving back to the community.

According to Carrie Ankeny, Benedictine's director of campus ministry, a significant act of giving even before attending their first class is the beginning of a student's participation in true interfaith engagement.

"At Benedictine, we encourage students of all faiths to work together to discover their purpose, grow in their self-awareness and contribute to the common good," said Ankeny. "Participating in an act service with students of many faiths helps form a common bond and leads to greater understanding so that we can all work together as one community."