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SUMMER 2012 | ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE 61
FINAL THOUGHT
A Heritage of Service
by Amy White Kaldor-Bull ’98
The dedication to community service acquired during the
student years at St. Lawrence is often carried over into Lau-
rentians’ post-collegiate lives.
My understanding of what it means to serve a community was
fostered during my time at St. Lawrence. I learned that wherever
one’s interests may lie, there are always like-minded peers who
are willing to pinpoint an area that requires support, sometimes
outside the borders of campus.
As a sister of Chi Omega, I was required to participate in com-
munity service projects. Possibilities ranged from playing Bingo
with the elderly to helping townspeople clean up their yards. I
most looked forward to volunteering at Canton’s elementary
school. I would help grade homework papers, hang bulletin
boards, sort classroom libraries and even tutor students on occa-
sion.
Growing up in the North Country,
I hailed from a family of teachers.
Several of my Chi Omega sisters were
interested in careers in education as
well. As a result, the importance of
education has always been close to me,
and, as an English major and lifelong reader, literacy as well.
While I knew that teaching was not the field for me, I credit my
sorority sisters and friends at St. Lawrence with providing a way
for me to support a school and its educators in my home com-
munity, bringing to light the types of service projects for which
my background and interests were most suited.
After graduation, I continued to take part in a range of com-
munity outreach activities, from handing out water to New York
City Marathon runners to participating in 9/11-related fundrais-
ers. When I started working for Disney Publishing Worldwide,
I was afforded the opportunity to help lead initiatives that
hearkened back to the plights that crept into my heart during my
time at St. Lawrence. I assisted in spearheading a backpack drive
to provide underprivileged youths with school supplies. I was
involved in organizing a reading program, which saw numer-
ous personnel giving up their lunch hours to read to elementary
school children throughout Manhattan. I was also instrumental
in organizing an annual holiday gift event that saw the entire
company wrapping thousands of children’s books to be given to
low-income families.
One of my best memories of this time is of delivering backpacks
to a community center, and watching a young boy raise each item
from his new bag over his head with a triumphant “Yes!” More
than 10 years later, I continue to carry with me the importance
of supporting my community’s students and educators.
St. Lawrence’s socially and civically aware students helped shape
my understanding that a difference can be made by lending
support where it’s needed. is lesson stayed with me after my
graduation and I am grateful for the impact that it has had upon
my life.
Amy Kaldor-Bull is freelance writer and editor.
She lives with her family in Cherry Valley, Mass.,
where she actively supports her daughter’s pre-
school.