Clarion University Venango Students Impact Community Through Volunteer Service

| March 31, 2017

CUP Venango SEED Club with Bridget the future homeownerOIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion University Venango Campus SEED club members recently traveled to Valdosta, Georgia, to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge where they built a brand new affordable home for a family in need.

(SEED Club pictured above: Back row, from left, are Matthew Beightol, Emily Knowles, Courtney Paton, Jenna Paratore, Bridget, the future Habitat homeowner, Casey McVay, and Shantel Scott. Front row, from left, are Kelsey Monro, and Taylor Berger)

Participants included Matthew Beightol, of Cooperstown; Taylor Berger, of Houtzdale; Emily Knowles, of Clarendon; Casey McVay, of Franklin, (who serves as the club advisor); Kelsey Monro, of Wall; Jenna Paratore, of Johnstown, (who serves as the club president); Courtney Paton, of North Versailles, (who serves as the club vice president); and Shantel Scott, of Clarion.

During their trip, the club lifted roof trusses, installed hurricane clips and plywood on the trusses, shingled half the roof, and did many other projects inside the home, such as wall construction.

CUP Venango SEED Club lifting roof truss

Collegiate Challenge was an excellent opportunity for SEED Club to build upon the service projects they have worked on throughout the year.

The club participated in the annual Discovery Weekend Resource Fair at Venango campus, providing incoming students with welcome bags filled with community resource guides, activity information, coupons, and goodies.

They assisted Mustard Seed Missions of Venango County in the renovation of two homeless bridge housing facilities on Liberty Street and Elk Street in Franklin.

Club members assisted in hanging drywall, carrying items up and down the stairs of the building for the construction crew, painting items, and cleaning rooms.

(Pictured above – on the ground, from left, are Shantel Scott, Matthew Beightol, Jenna Paratore, Courtney Paton and Casey McVay. On the roof, from left, are Zach, Royce, and James of the Habitat for Humanity construction crew)

Past SEED Club service projects include assistance with local construction or renovation projects; fundraisers for Mustard Seed Missions; UPMC Behavioral Health Center; and ABC Life Center; an Ice Bucket Challenge event for ALS awareness; and participation in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event for domestic violence awareness, to name a few.

The club also completed mission trips to Moss Point, Mississippi, and New Orleans.

The Clarion University, Venango SEED Club is a student organization with a mission to encourage students to stay connected and engaged at the campus with a focus on community service and mission work.

The club’s overall goal is to assist in the growth of students to be understanding, empathetic, and compassionate adults with a greater understanding of the world in which they live.

To learn more about the club, or to donate to their service, please contact advisor Casey McVay at 814-393-1229 or cmcvay@clarion.edu or visit them online at www.facebook.com/CUSEEDClub.

(Pictured below, from left, are Taylor Berger, Jenna Paratore, Matthew Beightol, Casey McVay, Kelsey Monro, Courtney Paton, Emily Knowles and Shantel Scott)

CUP Venango SEED Club with Habitat Sign


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