Fairfield Celebrates National Jesuit Service Month

Throughout April 2026, members of the Fairfield University community participated in acts of service on campus and in their local communities as part of National Jesuit Service Month.

From local events to efforts across the country, Jesuit Service Month brought together students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and community partners in a shared commitment to service and civic engagement. Below are a few local and national highlights.

Campus-Based Events

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

On April 19, supporters gathered at Lessing Field for the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk, held as part of a nationwide series of events supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Participants in this year’s annual event helped raise awareness and $33.5K in vital funds to sustain and expand local Best Buddies programs.

“One of the most meaningful parts of the Best Buddies Friendship Walk is seeing the genuine friendships and connections that are built throughout the year and celebrated at the event,” said Katie Byrnes, EdD, associate director of Campus Ministry. “There’s so much joy at the event and it’s so special to watch our students and community members create a space where everyone feels welcomed, celebrated, and included.”

The event was held in coordination with Fairfield’s Campus Ministry, the Office of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, and Best Buddies International. With more than 70 walks hosted across the country, attendees were part of a broader movement of more than 50,000 participants globally.

Feminine Hygiene Drive

Spearheaded by Luckario Alcide ’21, volunteers with the Alumni of Color Network, Center for Social Impact, Campus Ministry, and other student organizations gathered with Fairfield Bellarmine students in St. Ambrose Hall on Bellarmine Campus for the 3^rd Annual Feminine Hygiene Drive.

They collected, sorted, and assembled feminine hygiene kits at the event, in an effort to raise awareness about period poverty and the challenges many women face in accessing products.

This year’s drive was the largest to date, with more than 50 volunteers participating, 575 hygiene kits assembled, and over 4,600 items donated. The kits were donated to Caroline House, a nonprofit organization in Bridgeport, Conn., that supports women and children in need.

“Seeing volunteers come together in service was a meaningful reminder of how small acts of care can create a lasting impact,” said Julia Murphy, campus minister for justice and immersions. She co-directed student participation in the event, alongside Joel Espada, manager of community partnerships. 

Fairfield Bellarmine alumna Catherine Erol AS’25, a current premed student at Stanford University, once again supported the effort through her nonprofit, The Revolving Soap. Erol has played a significant role in the continued growth and success of the hygiene drive. 

Children’s Book Drive

In partnership with Find Book Joy, an organization dedicated to expanding access to book ownership for children, Campus Ministry and the Alumni Association Board held a drive that collected 225  new or like-new children’s books for donation to no-cost book fairs for young readers in need. 

Nationwide Alumni Participation

The Fairfield University Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving invited Stags nationwide to submit their April 2026 service/volunteer stories and log their hours as a way to highlight continued alumni commitment to growth as men and women for others.

Together, participants self-reported more than 450 total hours of service across the country. 

“Fairfield instilled in us a strong belief in the Jesuit values of spirituality, compassion, and social responsibility,” shared alumni Frank and Noreen (McPartland) Fanella ’89.

“Volunteering and helping in our community has always been a part of our Fairfield identity.” 

Upcoming Service Opportunity

For those interested in additional service opportunities, the AJCU (Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities) and the Honor Flight Network invite Fairfield community members to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, May 30, to participate in an Honor Flight Welcome event for United States veterans.

For information and additional alumni service opportunities, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving at (203) 254-4280 or at alumni@fairfield.edu.

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