The Meelia Center for Community Engagement puts on four to six one-day service events on campus. All of our events support a great cause; whether it is families in the Manchester community, special needs, or a local family in need, the center is always looking for a way to help. It is a great way for clubs, friends, and other campus organizations to come together for an influential cause.
The Wiffleball Tournament raises money for a local cause or family in need. Teams of ten players each gather in the Carr Center for a bracket-style tournament all day. Students serve as referees and make sure that all play is fair. Hot dogs and hamburgers are usually donated for the players and volunteers. This is a great event that brings together Saint Anselm students as well as the Greater Manchester community!
The Holiday Fair is an event in mid-December to bring holiday cheer to local children. Hundreds of families join Saint A's students in the Carr Center to make crafts, take pictures with Santa and take hayrides around the gym. The venue is transformed into a winter wonderland with snowflakes on every wall, wrapping paper covering the windows, candy canes and more! A real tree is decorated and donated to a local family in need at the end of the day.
"Seeing the Carr Center transformed into a winter wonderland combined with hundred of smiling children is something truly unique to the Saint Anselm College Holiday Fair."
~Meredith Lemmon, Class of 2017
If you're looking for big Valentine's Day plans this year, the Special Needs Valentine's Day Dance is a wonderful option! Upper Cushing is turned into a dance floor, complete with streamers, balloons all over the ceiling, and a giant balloon formation in the shape of a heart. Students and participants come dressed in their best pinks, whites and reds in order to spread the friendship on this special day. The North Lounge is set up with activity tables including face painting, cookie decorating and crafts. Feel free to take a break and cool off with some sorbet punch and snacks! Our participants look forward to the dance all year; this is their prom!
"Valentine's Day Dance is a day like no other. It's a place that you can dance freely, laugh until your abs hurt and smile like you've never smiled before. The atmosphere on campus changes and it is like everyone is in a better mood. "
~ Hannah O'Halloran, Class of 2016
The Dodgeball Tournament is similar to the Wiffleball Tournament in the sense that all profits go to a great cause. Students and outside organizations spend the day playing a bracket-style tournament in teams of about eight players. This event is great for those who like to be active, competitive, and give back to the community!
"On the day of the Dodgeball Tournament, the Carr Center is filled with an enormous amount of energy, laughter and friendly competition. It is great to see everyone from all different groups on campus get together as a community and spend the day raising money for a worthy cause."
~Shannon Hess, Class of 2016
To learn and read about our events from current students' perspectives, check out our Meelia Center Blog!