Getting Involved

The number one thing students are told to do in college is to get involved. Get involved with everything and anything that might be offered to you. It might not be necessarily something that you love to do but, something you enjoy. I would like to think of myself as a student who is heavily involved around campus. I am secretary of the Dance Team, a Lion Ambassador, an Orientation Leader, a Canner for THON, a member of Hotel Restaurant Society, and a blogger. All of these clubs have special events that they host in which they participate.

Recently, the Hotel Restaurant Society had the occasion of partaking in an event at the Opportunity House. The Opportunity House is a homeless shelter for those who need a place to stay and for those who need to be fed, located in downtown Reading. A typical dinner at the Opportunity House includes the residents of the homeless shelter coming to a window in the cafeteria and getting their hot meal, something like an elementary school style lunch. However, the next time would be much different for the residents, because the Hotel Restaurant Society was asked to make the simple cafeteria into a five-star restaurant.

When the HRS club heard this, we were all ready for the challenge. We decided on what we would make and serve, what type of decorations we would use, and what type of centerpieces we would make. Since the HRS club is mostly made up of Hospitality Management majors, the planning of this event was easy and fast. We chose fall theme decorations with an Italian menu. The club compromised on serving them an appetizer of Caesar salads and bruschetta, the entrée of either chicken parmesan or chicken Alfredo, a side of mixed vegetables or pasta with red sauce, and for dessert, a brownie topped with Creamery ice cream. Members of the HRS club, as well as volunteers, not only decorated the place, but they were also servers, hostesses, and chefs in the kitchen for the night. We even had two chefs from a local hotel come help make the meals.

When the residents started to arrive, they were highly surprised yet confused as to why the cafeteria was decorated. Then when we told them that they were not going to serve themselves, but we were going to serve them, their mouths dropped. The residents did not leave their seats that night, everything came to them: the drinks, the appetizers, the entrée, and the sides, and of course, the desserts. It was a night for the residents to feel special and appreciated. All the residents I talked to were extremely thankful to have had a night like that.

Not only did it make the residents grateful but it also made the HRS club and volunteers grateful too to be a part of this opportunity. We might have made their night but it also made ours. It was an experience that I will never forget and I am so thankful to be a part of a wonderful opportunity. Now, I challenge you to go out into the community and do something that makes you feel good about yourself. We all did it.

Until next time Penn Staters,

Caroline Kunisky