SNU’s campus sparked with energy as students gathered for “Helping Hands,” an event dedicated to showing appreciation to the hardworking Chick-fil-A and Sodexo employees who keep SNU running smoothly. The heartwarming event combined creativity, service, and gratitude as students crafted thank-you boxes and personalized notes for staff members.
“The goal was to provide a space for students to serve others,” says Emma Long, Community Relations Lead. “We spent the first few weeks of January planning details–from gathering supplies to brainstorming ways to show our appreciation for Sodexo workers across campus.” Long adds that events like Helping Hands reflect SNU’s mission and values by fostering a spirit of service and gratitude among students.
For senior Julia Benn, the event was particularly meaningful. “I feel like the cafeteria often gets a bad rap, leading us to take for granted the hard work that goes on behind the scenes,” she says. “Our Sodexo workers show up every day, even in bad weather conditions, just so we can eat and be greeted with a warm welcome. They deserve to know how much we appreciate them.”
Benn’s favorite part of the event was hearing students share stories about the employees they had come to know personally. “Several of our workers are known by name, and that’s so meaningful to see,” she notes. She hopes the thank-you boxes and notes serve as a reminder to staff that their efforts do not go unnoticed.
Sophomore Joanna Zachariah shares a similar feeling, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the staff’s contributions. “I hope the thank-you boxes show the staff how much we appreciate them! They do so much for SNU.” Zachariah also enjoyed participating in writing thank-you cards, calling it her favorite part of the event.
Helping Hands was not just about saying “thank you;” it was also about fostering a culture of service on campus. “Hopefully, this inspires people to continue serving and reflect on what service can look like for them,” Long explains.
As the event wrapped up, students left with a renewed sense of appreciation. The thank-you boxes, packed with care and love, stand as a reminder of the meaningful impact small acts of kindness can have on the community. Through events like Helping Hands, SNU continues to embody its mission of service, showing that gratitude can go a long way.
Photos by: José Ramos