REFLECTIONS

Comment

Comment by Erin Chantry on October 8, 2011 at 9:48pm

We had a great experience this afternoon at the Hospitality House of Charlotte. A wonderful organization that supports out of town families in need during a medical crisis provided us with a wonderful opportunity to serve. We had four families of great volunteers! Father/daughter duo, Erin Chantry '02 and Joe McGirt '63; proud mother and grandmother to an Andover student, Marcella Lezine and Audrey Lentz; Mother/daughter duo, alumna Amy Williams and her daughter; and family of three, alumnus Bryan Durrett, his wife and daughter. We made a yummy dinner of three types of lasagne (meat, veggie, and cheese), fresh broccoli and green beans, garlic bread, and M&M brownies for all 30 residents. The creative 7th grade duo made 24 gorgeous welcome bags for guests as they checked in. A thorough clean and inventory of the house, as well as a battle of Joe vs. monkey grass completed the day. As we spent some time talking to residents, a daughter whose father was recovering from a liver transplant and a mother whose son was critically ill on life support after a terrible car accident, it was clear that our presence was a happy diversion to their otherwise emotionally exhausting day. I couldn't help but realize how easily I could be in either one of their shoes. It was a pleasure to support such a needed organization that is so welcoming to families when they are in need of it most!

Comment by Phillips Academy on October 3, 2011 at 10:47am

Oct. 1, 2011: NY -- CityMeals on Wheels

 

     We were a group of 13, including alumni from several decades, two P.A. parents, and two friends. We gathered at St. Malachy's Church on West 49th Street on what was a rather grey and threatening morning. Although I had brought water for the troops, I didn't have any umbrellas and was fearful that rain would ruin our day. Thankfully as we began our duties, we were bathed in sunshine, a feeling we hoped to pass on to the seniors we were visiting!!

     After we were given our marching orders by Anthony, the volunteer coordinator, we broke up into four groups, each toting large coolers of food on a hand truck with a list of the names and addresses of the recipients. Between the four teams we probably delivered between 60 to 80 food packages. (On the weekend two days worth of meals, both hot and cold, are distributed because the service is not available on Sunday.)

     My team consisted of Lori Goodman Seegers, my fellow Class of '73 "Abbot Rabbit," her friend Bob Rosendale, and our friend Bob Trehy from the Class of '74. Although many of the people we delivered to simply took their meals at their doors with a simple "Thank you," several were very engaging and grateful to have some human contact. There was a charming Cuban retired pilot, age 90, who showed us photos of his place and pictures of his family. A woman shared with us her struggles with loneliness and depression. A scantily clad senior declared that Bob Rosendale looked just like Van Johnson. And a shy octogenarian told me I had a beautiful smile.

     Between our deliveries there was Andover chat, much laughter and a sweet delight in being in each other's company. We also appreciated being part of a cause in a city that we all love! (There was also a bit of friendly Red Sox-Yankees rivalry between Doug Pirnie and David Brown!!)

     When we returned to the venue, several participants said they enjoyed it so much they would do it again, even on a "Non Sibi" basis. 

     What a great and gratifying morning it was! Thank you all for being a part of it!!!! Hope to see you all next year!!  I hope you like the photos I've attached on this and a following email.  

     Marcia

     Here are is the list of participants: David Brown, Morgan Intrator, Song, Amy Cherry Abitbol, Chioma Ngwudo, Arlette Rush, Imani Rush, Bob Trehy, Doug Pirnie, Roxanne Edwards, Lori Seegers, Bob Rosendale, and Marcia McCabe.

Comment by Patricia V Cameron on October 1, 2011 at 7:52pm

October 1, 2011 - We had a very rewarding experience today, preparing and assembling lunch and dinner for hundreds of homeless men and woman at the Pine Street Inn in Boston.  We were happy to be part of a great group of volunteers and to help out the many that are less fortunate. We would do this again! Thank you Tom for organizing this and giving us this opportunity.

 

Patti and Dan Cameron

Comment by Joseph C. Mesics on September 29, 2011 at 11:28am

September 24-25,2011 Joe Mesics '53 led a team on a Multiple Sclerosis MS150 bicycle ride, sponsored by the National MS Society, Delaware Valley Chapter, rode from Cherry Hill, NJ to Ocean City, NJ and back, 163 miles. Purpose of MS rides is to raise $$$ to find cures and provide help for those afflicted with MS. Our team raised ~$3,800 and the Society is close to its $5 million goal. On this ride MS Society supports 7,000+ riders and makes it the funnest ride of the year, a perfect way for all PA alum bicyclers in the Philadelphia area to join in with a terrific Non Sibi project. Photo of Joe with a special MS riding friend.

Comment by Clement B Wood on October 10, 2010 at 1:32pm

I led a project at Compost for Brooklyn, a former vacant lot in Brooklyn that my cousin, Louise Bruce, along with her boyfriend and several knowledgeable volunteers from the neighborhood and NYC Parks Department, have turned into a community garden/compost site. Tess Scott '06 joined me, and under the guidance of a former Parks Department employee, we replanted flowers rescued from a community garden slated for rezoning in the compost-rich soil. There was a large turn-out all day from the neighborhood, as the site was also hosting a mini-block party and bake sale. We didn't do much "work", but we did learn more about how to compost in NYC, how to recycle well, and how to build a marvelous sense of community spirit out of what had once been a concrete lot.

Clem Wood '04

Comment by Phillips Academy on November 19, 2009 at 2:12pm

Here is a photo from a project done by Maria Elias-Williams and her son Cobi. For more info on the project, see Maria's comment below.

Comment by Maria Elias-Williams on November 17, 2009 at 2:43pm

We completed our first Non Sibi Day project . . . "Cobi's Coats for Kids." My 14 year old son, Cobi, collected new and gently worn coats and distributed 244 of them on the front lawn of our church. We had enough monetary donations to buy brand new coats for children whose sizes we did not have! The response and outpouring of gratitude was amazing.

Comment by Stephen Porter on November 9, 2009 at 4:02pm

Check out this heart-warming story about how PA alums Tom Beaton and Cmdr. Robert Patrick worked with Carter's and the US military to deliver 10,000 units of children's clothing to orphans in Djibouti...a direct result of the Non Sibi Day program!

Comment by Jennifer Rose Savino on October 23, 2009 at 2:33pm

Click here to see the story done on Non Sibi Day that ran in the Phillipian on the Eve of Non Sibi Day 2009 around the world!
http://pdf.phillipian.net/2009/10022009.pdf

Comment by Jennifer Rose Savino on October 23, 2009 at 10:20am

I invite you to read the coverage in the Phillipan
http://phillipian.net/article/8700
http://phillipian.net/article/8687

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