This annual effort follows the example of the University’s founders, the Sisters of Mercy, and embraces the CSM mission which encourages regard for the dignity of each person and compassionate service to others.

“This project gets the entire campus community involved in the outreach of giving back and helping others in the Omaha metro area,” said Jenny Wittstock, director of student leadership and organizations, “Education for service is the foundation of who we are at CSM.”

On April 7, the volunteers will gather for a kickoff breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Lied Fitness Center, and then they will fan out to locations across Omaha (listed below) for either a half-day or full-day of service.

Most of the University’s classes are canceled for the day to allow students to volunteer, and no student can be penalized for missing a class to participate.

CSM ‘Spirit of Service Day’ locations:

1) Catholic Charities - Saint Martin de Porres Center ( 9 a.m.- 12 p.m., 2111 Emmett, Omaha)

2) Food Bank of the Heartland (1-4 p.m., 6824 J St.)

3) Girls, Inc. of Omaha (1-4 p.m., 2811 N. 45th St.)

4) Ted E. Bear Hollow (9 a.m. – noon, 7811 Farnam Drive)

5) Spellman Child Development Center (1-4 p.m., 7000 Mercy Rd.)

6) Essential Pregnancy Services (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 6220 Maple St.)

7) Heartland Family Services (9 a.m. – noon, 302 American Parkway, Papillion)

8) Bethlehem House (1-4 p.m., 2301 South 15th St. Omaha)

9) Ronald McDonald House (1-4 p.m., 620 S. 38th Ave.)

10) Stephens Center (9 a.m. – noon, 2723 Q St.)

11) Mercy Villa (9 a.m.- 12 p.m., 1845 S. 72nd St.)

12) Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (8:30 a.m. – noon & 1-4 p.m., site TBD)

13) St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Stores (9 a.m. – noon & 1-4 p.m., 5037 South 24th St., 2101 Leavenworth St., 5920 Maple St.)

14) Open Door Mission: Timberlake Outreach Center (9 a.m. – noon & 1-4 p.m., 2828 N. 23rd St. North Omaha/Carter Lake Area)

Additionally, there will be a group of volunteers on campus to construct a number of Amanda’s Alligators with SOTA (Student Occupational Therapy Association).

Amanda’s Alligators are therapeutic tools designed to promote self-calming in children experiencing sensory integration dysfunction.

They were created based on an idea by CSM student Amanda Florance, who was killed in an automobile accident in February 2008.

Students and faculty in the Occupational Therapy Department at CSM established this project to bring Amanda’s idea to life and raise money for a scholarship in her honor.

For additional information on ‘Spirit of Service Day’ at CSM, please contact Wittstock at 419-606-3034 or jwittstock@csm.edu.