Just Lend an Ear

I am always surprised at how powerful the act of listening is. This afternoon I had a long chat with a good friend of mine. This fella has lived in a local shelter for 32 years and may be the smartest individual I know. Despite hours of conversation, I had never asked him, before tonight, how he thinks the homeless and disadvantaged population of Syracuse can be better served. However when I did open my ears and when I became receptive, I heard some extremely profound and insightful things. Things that I know as college students, we can implement. An act as simple as listening goes a mighty far way...


Thanks all.

Give new things a try

Hello all,
I would first like to start off by saying what a great idea this blog is. It is a great way to see what others are involved in on and off campus and it enables us to bounce ideas off of each other. Thanks to my good friends, I have also been allowed the experience of volunteering at the Samaritan Center for the past few months and it has been my sincere pleasure. I feel positive that I have received so much more from the guests and volunteers then I have given during the time I have spent at the Samaritan Center. This experience has given me a larger understanding of the need for help everywhere, not only around the world but in our own backyards as well. The other volunteers are great resources as they are all involved in other local projects. The guests have allowed me the opportunity to gain an alternative perspective on a lifestyle different from my own. I had been hoping for a new experience I could get involved with at College and once the Samaritan Center was offered as a suggestion, I jumped on the opportunity! Even though I had only done very brief work like this before and was (I'll admit it) a tad bit intimdated, I think the important thing is to see what others are doing and to know that you do not have to necessarily reinvent the wheel with new ideas but to feel out what others are doing and give it a try.

Some great news...

Howdy all,

Thanks to the Sodexo Foundation, the Le Moyne College Sandwich Makers have been donated $1,000 that we can give to the charity of our choice.

Thank you everyone for your continued dedication. Without your help this program never would have left the ground. And a big big thanks to the Le Moyne College Campus Ministry Office, the Le Moyne College Dining Service, and all the other people who have allowed the Le Moyne College Sandwich Makers to keep doing what we do every Monday and Wednesday night.

Thanks all.

Letter Writing

I dig receiving a letter. Not an email, but a real, handwritten, 44 cent, coffee stained letter. I know that I am not alone. In fact some of the fellas at the Oxford Street Inn Homeless Shelter have told me about their joy in opening a letter specifically for them.

So, if you're interested, let me know if you'd like to write to one of the gentlemen. A simple once a week letter can do so much good. You may never hear from the friend you write to, but understand that it truly brightens up their day and week. Remember we aren't doing our work for the thank you.

Thanks all.



O, I really liked what Dan said here: "No matter what we do in terms of service or interacting with others, we must always remember that a smile and listening can go a long way."

Serving at the Samaritan Center

Since the beginning of September I have been fortunate enough to volunteer every Thursday morning at the Samaritan Center, the local soup kitchen in Syracuse. I first learned about this opportunity from Andrew and decided to go one day after hearing all about the wonderful service that is provided as well as the people who work and eat there. Needless to say, the Samaritan Center does a good job of providing meals for the hungry. I have enjoyed spending each Thursday morning doing a variety of tasks from washing and drying treys, cleaning the dishes, making the food in the kitchen, and actually serving the meals to the guests. Each role has been fun and enjoyable as I have had the chance to work alongside some of my friends and have also met very interesting and kind hearted people who volunteer as well. Not only have I enjoyed serving the guests, I have also taken to talking to some of them whom I know now on a more personal basis. This part of the service at the Samaritan Center is great. It is nice to see those whom I have met and know from the OX down town at soup kitchen, as these friendly faces always brighten my day. I have learned from observing the likes of Andrew and I encourage others who volunteer to get to know the guests whom we serve. It is a vital part of what it means to care not only about the physical needs one has, but to extend the loving community and support of our fellow brothers and sisters by taking a real interest in their lives. One's consistency of service and volunteering on a regular basis is important and strikes a cord with those whom we serve. With that said, my time at the Samaritan Center has been one of service, fun, and a learning experience which I hope to continue throughout my stay in Syracuse. No matter what we do in terms of service or interacting with others, we must always remember that a smile and listening can go a long way.

Burrito Projet

This is a pretty neat project that started in LA, check it out....

http://www.myspace.com/burritoproject

My Experience at the OX

Since February I have been fortunate enough to have been consistently visiting the Oxford Street Inn, the local men's Shelter in Syracuse. Every Friday evening I have been helping run and participate in a Bible study where a group of men, including myself and another volunteer, come together and discuss a passage and/or a key theme for the day. My experience of delving into the Word with my fellow brothers has been of great value, as I have learned more about my faith and how to live it out on a regular basis. In the discussions we have shared our experiences from our lives and how God has safeguarded us and guided us along the journey of life no matter how rocky or smooth each of our paths may have been. These sessions and talks have helped me have new incites and grow in understanding and faith. By engaging in prayerful dialogue with my fellow brothers at the OX, I have received plentiful insight into what it means to be a community and faithful follower of the Gospel. The guys at the OX are amazing and have taught me a great deal through their openness, personal testimonies, knowledge of the Scriptures, and how they view life. There is no doubt that I have been blessed and that God has opened my eyes to see how important it is to go and spread the Good News to all people. I can confidently and thankfully say that when I am at the OX, which is a homeless shelter in the "worst part of Syracuse," all of the walls and barriers that so often keep us apart due to our inability to see beyond and love all people are broken down. By studying the Word and engaging in prayerful reflections, this Bible study has blessed me with new friends, new brothers in Christ, and an increased desire to love as Christ did without counting the cost.

Welcome All

Hey there all,

Thanks for checking in on the Sandwich Makers. We are a group of friends who gather together twice a week to make sandwiches for the needy men, women, and children of Syracuse. Further, we facilitate a weekly writing group and a Bible study class held at a local homeless shelter.

The two organizations that have had a significant impact on our service have been the Samaritan Center Soup Kitchen (www.thesamaritancenter.com) and the Oxford Street Inn Homeless Shelter.

We welcome anyone to join us for sandwich making Monday and Wednesday nights at 8:30 pm in the Nelligan Lounge. If you feel called to the writing group (Wednesday 6pm-7pm) or Bible study (Friday 7pm-830pm) please join us.

Most importantly, if you have any ideas or projects that you feel would be helpful to the needy and homeless of Syracuse and feel that all you need is a foot in the door, feel free to contact us with any questions. Serve with love and passion and it can't fail.

Thank you all and take care...