Monmouth University - Hawk Hug of the Week

Hawks Fly Together For Relief

Volunteer

If your organization wishes to sponsor a new event, fundraiser, donation drive, or volunteer activity, please E-mail relief@monmouth.edu requesting approval for your project.

If your local community needs volunteers, please contact relief@monmouth.edu to let us know.

Please contact relief@monmouth.edu to learn about existing volunteer opportunities in the local community.

Monmouth University's
Hurricane Sandy Relief Project

Hawk Hug of the Week

This storm, as terrible as the aftermath has turned out to be, has also given us something priceless: a stronger sense of community. With every helping hand, it is clear to see that New Jersey is a state that is filled with love, care, and concern for those around us. Whether we're donating money to larger funds, collecting items for those who lost everything, or simply giving a hug to a stranger, every little thing matters and is appreciated. As the weeks progress, I am confident that we will overcome this disaster and rise as a stronger state, community, and university.

Oscar Sanchez Jr.
Monmouth University
2013 Student Government Association President

Below are stories and pictures submitted by Monmouth University students, employees, and alumni. Each week we will highlight one or more "Hawk Hug of the Week." This hug will go to a hawk who has shared a story or picture regarding Hurricane Sandy (that they will allow us to post online). The story or picture will involve them reaching out to help ('hug') others in need after the storm or involve how they could use a 'hug' after how the storm has affected them.

To submit a "Hawk Hug", please E-mail relief@monmouth.edu.

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Oct 28 - Nov 2

I saw a hawk in line at the pharmacy before school opened. She was chatting with someone I originally assumed was her neighbor. After hearing part of their conversation, seeing she already had her prescription in her hand, and then seeing them move to the front of the line, I realized the truth. She saw the gentleman as she was leaving the line, recognized what he did for a living (worked on fixing power lines), got back into line with him, and offered to buy him his medication as a way to say thank you for all he was doing to help. He had come up from North Carolina to help put us back online! A hug goes out to that special hawk for showing our guest that New Jersey is grateful!

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Nov 11- Nov 17

AST braves cold weather and gets 'pied in the face' to help raise extra money for Monmouth University's two charities. A hug goes out to you. Thank you AST!

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Nov 11 - Nov 17

TKE - help sandy-Point

Monmouth University Fraternity Members Help Sandy Victims in Point Pleasant Beach

Photo: Members of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity helped a family in Point Pleasant Beach move contents of their home to the curb after damage from Superstorm Sandy on Sunday, November 11. After helping the family clear out their house, TKE proceeded to walk the streets of the neighborhood and offered their help to more than a dozen families.

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Nov 18 - Nov 24

University of Massachusetts Boston nursing student Leah Ottenstein makes a "donation delivery" on behalf of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University to help Hurricane Sandy relief efforts at Monmouth University. Thank you to all of the employees and students at UMass who helped collect donations for those in need in Monmouth County!

umass3 u mass1 umass5

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Nov 25 - Dec 1

Monmouth University Sorority Members Help Sandy Victims in Sea Bright

Volunteer MU/Zeta Alumni

Sisters of MU Zeta Tau Alpha and ZTA Alumni helped out in Sea Bright last weekend.They picked up debris littering Sea Bright. Alumna Kate Stevens said, "It was the best feeling in the world to help the residents of Sea Bright." Included in the photo, Jennifer DeSantis '02, Kalagh Mendoza '05, and Kate Stevens '02.

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Nov 25 - Dec 1

One other special hawk hug goes from Kate to her dad, Tom Stevens, class of '71. "He is truly the Best and right now could use a Hawk Hug! Our Beach House was on Harding Ave. in Ortley Beach. Our Street along with the whole area suffered a lot of damage. Everything in the homes have to be thrown out and all the walls and flooring have to be ripped out. The water came into the house in some parts as high as 4 ft. We are fortunate our house did not suffer any structural damage, unfortunately I can not say the same for most of our neighbors, whose homes have been washed away and destroyed by the storm. Our beach house has been a part of our family since I was a freshman at Monmouth and a lot of MU Alum have fond memories in the house. In addition, it became home to both my brother (TJ Stevens '04) and myself (with other MU Alum) while taking summer classes at Monmouth. The rebuilding will take a while, but our spirits are high and our beach house will be back and ready for new memories in no time." A Hawk Hug goes out to Tom and to your whole family, Kate. We are with you!

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Dec 9 - 15

University of Louisville students partner with Monmouth University to help Superstorm Sandy Recovery Effort in Sea Bright.

University of Louisville students volunteered last week in Sea Bright, NJ, to help restore the Superstorm Sandy damaged area. The students partnered with Monmouth University's School of Social Work to do a wide range of jobs, such as cleaning, gutting and sheet rocking homes, working in the library to discard books, and clearing a parking lot. Monmouth University arranged for housing for the students and made the connection for the volunteer opportunities.

Robin Mama, Dean of Monmouth University's School of Social Work, commented: "We were all very grateful that these students and their professor, Theresa Hayden, came to our area. I know the people in Sea Bright were very touched by their desire to help and be of assistance."

On December 14th, SGA worked in conjunction with A Xi D, D Phi E, the Political Science Club, SAB, Courtney Jonker, WMCX, PRSSA, and the Outlook to sponsor a benefit concert featuring local bands. Proceeds from the concert amounted to $1,023. Thank you to all who helped plan this event for all of your hard work!

Great job, Sigma Pi, in raising $1,100 for the relief in your own time of need. Our deepest condolences go out to you all. Hawks Fly Together.

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Jan 28 - Feb 1

Monmouth University counseling students coordinate relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy MU Counseling Students

Jennifer Trimarchi and Ellen Brody, both Monmouth University counseling students, coordinated important efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Trimarchi and Brody signed students up to volunteer through FEMA and the Monmouth County Division of Health and Addiction Services in order to provide counseling to the victims. They also helped organize donation collections as well as clean-up efforts. Both of these students knew that they wanted to get involved but figuring out how was difficult at first. By utilizing their skills and reaching out to classmates, Trimarchi and Brody became an integral part of the Hurricane Sandy relief. They were coordinators from October until Christmas time, and those who worked with them commented on how amazing they both were. We would like to extend a Hawk Hug to Jennifer Trimarchi and Ellen Brody for their fantastic work - kudos to you!

Hawk Hugs of the Week: Feb 4 - 8

Monmouth University School of Education organizations Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) and the International Reading Association (IRA) collect supplies for Union Beach Memorial School

Union Beach 2

School of Education faculty members Mary Lee Bass, Mary Brennan, and Carolyn Groff, as well as students Stephanie Mercieca, Jennifer Davidson, Liz Stankiewicz, Kevin Downey, Johanna Mozo, Kelly Coulson, Jessica Dayton, Sam McGhee, Leigh Steinberg, and Drew Corrigan collected donations for Union Beach Memorial School. These efforts are one of numerous community service projects that KDP and IRA facilitate every year. Union Beach Memorial School has had to move locations twice and lost everything to Hurricane Sandy. These faculty and students spent countless hours to collect much needed supplies, and as a result collected every item on the school's wish list. In addition to these items, the money raised during the bake sale that was held ($1,362) made it possible to purchase other supplies, including six teacher desk chairs, an electric heater, mini-refridgerator, book cases, calculators, dictionaries, a thesaurus, assorted colored paper, rolls of bulletin board paper, a microwave, and oscillating fans. Monmouth's Facilities Management arranged for storage of the supplies and then transported everything to the Holy Family School Building on February 7th. We would like to send a Hawk Hug to these KDP and IRA faculty and students for their donation collection efforts and great work to help the community. Thank you!