Under the Arch

RECORD CROWD EXPECTED TO ATTEND SOCIAL WORK CLUB DINNER

Organizers are expecting a record crowd of about 800 people to attend the Gannon University Social Work Club’s Christmas Dinner.

The dinner, the 27^th annual, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 in the Hammermill Center and Yehl Room.

Designed to bring holiday cheer to less fortunate Erie residents who otherwise might not be able to celebrate the season, the free event provides a full turkey dinner, Christmas presents, and clothing. A number of activities, including games, face painting, and a visit by Santa, will be offered for young children.

Traditionally, about 500 people attend the dinner, according to Parris Baker, Gannon assistant professor of social work. Organizers are expecting a significantly higher turnout for this year mainly because the dinner again will incorporate a Wellness Fair.

In response to surveys completed by attendees, the Wellness Fair was first introduced during last year’s dinner. The Wellness Fair allows attendees to obtain information on housing and human services and also to take advantage of numerous free health screenings, such as blood pressure and blood sugar, all under one roof. “We feel very fortunate to be able to offer so much more than a meal because the attendees tend to fall within a very hard-to-reach population,” Baker said.

He credits the Social Work Club’s ability to offer a diverse range of services and screenings to the active participation of numerous local agencies and organizations. Agencies and organizations contributing include the Alzheimer’s Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Area Agency on Aging, Booker T. Washington Center, Community Country Day School, Community Health Net, Community Shelter Services, Crime Victim Services of Erie Co., Erie Center-Vision and Blindness Services, Erie County Department of Health, Erie County Diabetes Association, Erie Family Center for Child Development, Family Health Council, Florence Crittenton Services, Gannon University Psychological Services Clinic, Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing, Gannon University Criminal Justice Department, Gannon University Small Business Development Center, Gannon University Admissions, Gaudenzia/Crossroads, GECAC Aging Services, Hispanic American Council, HOME, Inc., International Institute of Erie, ION Health, JFK Center, March of Dimes, Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst College Social Work Club, Multicultural Health Evaluation Delivery System, Northwestern Rural Aids Alliance, The Ophelia Project, PATCHES, Perseus House, Quality of Life Learning Center, SafeNet, United Way of Erie County, YMCA, and Youth Development & Family Center.

Baker also acknowledges that the event could not continue without a dedicated core of volunteers, who prepare and serve food and help in other ways. With overall attendance expected to increase as much as 60 percent, Baker expects anywhere from 400 to 500 volunteers to help with the event, as compared to about 300 in most previous years.

Beyond valuable help provided by volunteers, the event also is well supported by the local community. Organizers have received about $2,500 in donations to help cover costs associated with the event. Another $1,000 has been generated through various fundraisers, Baker said.

For more information on the dinner or to make a contribution, call ext. 7263 or 7781.

OUR EVENTS

Saturday, December 4 – Gannon Social Work Club Christmas Dinner: To be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A record crowd is expected to attend. The dinner again will feature a Wellness Fair as well as a full dinner, clothing, and presents. For more information call ext. 7781 or 7263.
Saturday, December 4 – Jingle Mingle: The annual Gannon University Christmas party will begin with a reception at 6:15 p.m. Buffet dinner will be served at 7 p.m., and music and dancing from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Seating is first come, first served. Call human resources for more information.
Friday, December 10 – Gannon University's Erie Chamber Orchestra: This is the annual Christmas Concert Sing-Along with the St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral children’s choir. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 130 East 4^th Street.
Sunday, December 12 – Winter Commencement: 2 p.m. in Hammermill Center. Wilbert Bryant, deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs for the U.S. Department of Education, will give the keynote address and will be awarded an honorary degree. The graduation mass will be held at 11 a.m. in the Chapel.
Sunday, December 12 – National Children’s Memorial Day: The ceremony will be held on the steps of Gannon University’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel at 6:45 p.m. with the registration of names to be remembered and will be followed by a candle lighting ceremony as well as music, readings, and poems. The service, which will be observed worldwide, will honor the memory of children who have died. Call ext. 5624 for more information.
Sunday, December 12 – Mid-Knight Pancake Breakfast: To be held from 9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Gannon cafeteria. Volunteers are needed to staff the two shifts: 9-10:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.-12 a.m. The breakfast is free to all Gannon students. Call ext. 5800 if you would like to volunteer or donate a door prize to be raffled off for the students.
“Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Michelle Zimmerman. Catherine Oakley. Sharon Thompson. Susan Black-Keim. Marilyn Konieczny. Parris Baker. Thomas Stolarski. Jennifer Pearson. Julie Iacobucci. Lauri Ongley. Valerie Bacik. Cheryl Guy. Linda Kish. Cynthia Fiske. Judith Quinlan. Sandra Trocki. Sheryl Tyzinski. Patrick O'Connell. Rick Prokop. Patricia Schlosser. Courtney Wyatt. Ralph Griffin III. J. Thomas Simmons Jr. Daniel Morales. Janice Diluzio. Kathleen Gausman. Marion Gallivan. May Bartello. Thomas Boyd. Kimberly Grove. Wendy Bowen. Ron Wasielewski. Patrick Pontzer. Herbert Sommers Jr. Stephanie Williams. Renee Thibodeau.

THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE

Monday, November 22 – Villa Maria Academy junior class visit. Tuesday, November 23 – Gathering in Praise. Wednesday, November 24 – J.S. Wilson Middle School visit. Friday-Saturday, November 26-27 – Men’s Basketball - Gary Miller Classic.

HEARD ON CAMPUS

Dissertation defense: Elisa Seibert will defend her dissertation on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. in Palumbo room 2012. The title of her dissertation is “Clergy knowledge of basic counseling skills – helping and BIC pastors.” All are welcome to attend.