1. Global Community Day
Project,
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Hosted by Saint Joseph’s
University in the tradition of
service and paying it forward!

2. Background of GCD
Kristen Cosgrove, mom to Josh and
Addison Cosgrove, is a graduate and alum
of SJU and discovered 2 years ago that
they hold an annual event each year with
the aim of giving back to those who have
less
Kristen is also President of her high school’s
alum association (Villa Maria Academy)
and thought joining the 2 schools in this
event might be a good idea

3. Background (Cont.)
In 2008, the SJU National Alumni Board began a
new tradition rooted in the Jesuit tradition of
service to others. The goal was to identify one
day each year when SJU alumni could come
together and serve their local communities no
matter where they were in life…or in the world.
That first year, they were up and running in five
cities: Boston, New York City, Washington D.C.,
Chicago and Philadelphia. Since then, National
Community Day has grown exponentially and
has now GONE GLOBAL!

4. Sites and Selection
Kristen presented the idea that Villa alum
join SJU alum and target 2 locations each
year to help with any need they may have
The first year the groups traveled to the
Food Cupboard in Chester, PA and the
Literacy Center in Coatesville, PA doing
painting and other manual labor projects

5. Sites and Selection (Cont.)
Additionally, Kristen was able to raise a total of $5-6K
combined for each site with corporate donations from
companies such as Wal-mart, Office Depot and Sam’s
Club
Volunteers also brought bag after bag of donated goods
filling the needs they had for these sites that are in very
poor areas

6. 2012 Sites
This year Kristen headed up the project
again but thought Josh was old enough to
join in and see first hand what it means to
give your time and effort to organizations
in communities that have so little
The sites were Camilla Hall in Malvern, PA
and the Incarnation School and Convent in
Philadelphia, PA

7. 2012 Sites (Cont.)
Josh went along with his mom to the Philadelphia site,
riding in a donated moving van with donated lunches for
all volunteering – the mission, to help move items to a
flea market for sale since the school and convent were
being closed due to low enrollment

8. Paying it Forward
Josh, his mom and many other volunteers, including the
Sisters themselves, rolled up their sleeves to get as
much done as possible - the day was bittersweet,
helping a school that needed it but helping them because
the school was closing

9. How Good it Feels to Give!
At the end of the day, the meaning was clear –
always give more then you take, never think you
have it so hard until you see what others are
going through – Josh had a great time and we
hope in a few years to also include Addison in
upcoming projects!

10. Upcoming Projects
Both Josh and Addison will be taking part on May 19th in
the Health Kick event hosted by Master P’s Tae Kwon
Do school in West Chester – Josh is a green belt and
Addison is a blue stripe and are accepting any size
donation for this event
The students as a whole will be breaking 1000 boards that
morning with 100% of the fundraising efforts going to
Chester County Hospital, one of the last non profit
hospitals in our area

11. Congratulations Joshua!
This short presentation is to recognize that no matter how
old or young you are, like Josh at age 9, and Addison at
age 5, you can always make a difference!
Congratulations Josh on participating in your first
community service project and good luck to you and your
sister on May 19th!