FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saint Mary’s Students Host Walk to Benefit South Bend’s Hungry
Media contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579
March 14, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Saint Mary's College students in the Office for Civic and Social Engagement (OCSE) are coordinating a walk for South Bend’s hungry. The walk is called “Yes, we can!” and will begin at the Student Center at Saint Mary's College at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. The walk will proceed to the University of Notre Dame, where the group will stop briefly to pray at the Grotto, and then back to Saint Mary's. The South Bend area community, including children and dogs (on leashes), are invited to join the students on the walk.
Walkers may register. Those who are not pre-registered should arrive at the Student Center before 2 p.m. Walkers may participate as an individual or as a team. Individual walkers are asked to bring three cans of food to the event or a $2 donation to benefit the Catholic Charities Food Pantry. A team of walkers can bring a $5 donation or three cans of food per walker. The walk will be held rain or shine.
The “Yes, we can!” walk is coordinated by Saint Mary’s students participating in the College Academy of Tutoring Program (CAT). CAT was formed at Saint Mary's College in 2006 to meet the needs of at-risk elementary school students in the South Bend area. The program partners Saint Mary's students with Title 1 schools in South Bend in the roles of tutors, teacher's assistants, reading partners, and special program coordinators. In return, CAT scholars receive a $2,500 tuition credit at Saint Mary’s.
“The CAT Scholars Program provides a unique opportunity to work not only with the youth of South Bend, but also with a diverse group of women,” said Joy Viceroy, ’13. “Even though we come from different walks of life, and are pursuing a variety of studies at Saint Mary's, we are united in our love of children and passion for making a difference in the community.”
Katie Klinker, '13, also enjoys working in the CAT Scholar Program. "The CAT Program is wonderful. Not only is it fun, but I love being able to make a difference in the students' lives," she said.
This is the third year for the walk. For more information on the walk, call OCSE at (574) 284-4265 or email Carrie Call, director of OCSE.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.