A little rain didn’t stop Sacred Heart University (SHU) students from handing out turkeys and canned goods to Bridgeport residents the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at St. Charles Borromeo Church.
SHU student government’s 13th annual turkey drive raised nearly $20,000 to purchase more than 500 Thanksgiving turkeys for local families. The donations were made possible by generous help from friends of the university, faculty, staff, students, alumni and parents. Student government is also grateful for alum Harry Garafalo ’80, his nephew James Garafalo and ShopRite of Milford for their ongoing support. Fundraising continues to help additional families throughout December.
In addition to the student government’s turkey drive, the office of community engagement and SHU Athletics conducted its yearly food drive to collect nonperishable goods. Arlete Perez Paez, assistant director of community engagement and Annie Johnson, director of community engagement, led participants to bring in thousands of items such as boxed stuffing, gravy, canned vegetables and more, which were then blessed at the university’s recent interfaith service. Team member Erin Rederscheid, coordinator of community partnerships, helped mobilize Pioneer Service Grant students to donate and set up for the prayer service.
Both efforts came together on a wet and damp Tuesday morning, as staff, student government members, members of the SHU men’s lacrosse team and members of the office of community engagement gathered at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Bridgeport to hand out Thanksgiving dinners.
“I always tell people that the significance of this event really lies within the fact that we are lending a helping hand directly to our neighbors, the people who surround our school and make this place a home,” said Gracie Patriarco ’26, a political science and global affairs double major from Cortland, New York. This was Patriarco’s second year participating in the turkey drive, but her first as the student government’s vice president of community and inclusion.
“Continuing the SHU Thanksgiving food drive tradition is important because it fosters a sense of community and compassion, especially during a time when many are facing food insecurity,” Johnson said. “Our efforts help ensure that families who might otherwise struggle during the holidays have access to nutritious meals, creating a more inclusive and caring environment for everyone. For students, participating in such a meaningful event also provides them with an opportunity to learn about empathy, generosity and the importance of giving back. It is an opportunity for us to live out our value of social responsibility and strengthens our connection to the Greater Bridgeport community.”
As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century.
port other athletes, visit www.specialolympics.org. To register yourself or a child for the McCann Ice Area’s year-round learn-to-skate, figure skating and hockey programs, visit mccannicearena.org.
