VCU news

By Leha Byrd

Rondy Lazaro’s studies at VCU Health include helping others to soothe and heal their ailments. During the holiday season, he aims to do the same thing, using music as the balm.

Lazaro, a resident physician in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, plays violin and is an assistant conductor with the Richmond Philharmonic; he also sings with the Richmond Symphony Chorus and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish Choir. The latter group was part of a recent benefit Christmas concert for Commonwealth Catholic Charities. The organization helps people with food and shelter and provides assistance to refugee families.  

“It is such a tremendous joy to be able to share our music with the community during this time of year,” Lazaro said. “Music is such a vital part of Christmas and the holiday season and this music, whether sacred chant or popular singalong tunes, brings us all together to celebrate the holidays.”

This holiday season, many Virginia Commonwealth University students are involved in community outreach, in an effort to give back and spread the joyous spirit of the season. Students are routinely encouraged to find ways to offer good tidings, said Heather Nunes, interim associate director of University Student Commons and Activities.

“Throughout the year we have students who do community service projects,” she said. “The holiday season is an opportune time to continue in the giving and service spirit, by putting others before self and helping when there is a need.”

Selfless shopping

As she made her way up and down the aisles of Target, Macy’s and Walmart, Brittany Corker was excited about her holiday finds, especially because they were for someone else. The VCU Master of Social Work student was shopping for a G.W. Carver Elementary School student as part of its “Adopt A Peanut” initiative, in which community members volunteer to provide assistance to families during the holidays.

Prior to Christmas, parents of G.W. Carver Elementary School students are given forms where they can indicate whether they need assistance toward gifts. If so, The Communities in Schools program solicits volunteers. Corker learned of the project during her internship at the school last year.

“The holiday time always makes me thankful for how blessed I am that I have my basic needs, and more, met,” she said. “It is a warm feeling to give back to a cause that I know directly impacts the lives of children that live in the same community I do.”

The VCU men’s basketball team went on a recent shopping trip, as well, and they too were shopping for others. The group guided 50 children from the Richmond Boys & Girls Club through Target, with $100 each to pick their own gifts. The spree, “Shop With the Rams,” happens every year and is as much of a thrill for the VCU players as it is for the children involved.

Similarly, Margaret Spotts is always delighted to lead the children she babysits, ranging from kindergartners to seventh graders, through their holiday gift-giving initiatives. She uses their time together during the holidays to boost their benevolence.

“They’re experiencing the gift and joy of sharing at an early age and that can continue for years to come,” said Spotts, also a VCU Master of Social Work student. 

Delivering dog and kitty treats to the SPCA, making holiday cards for strangers, including a Starbucks barista, and visiting retirement homes are just some of the activities the children initiated, Spotts said, adding that lifting others to do more keeps her grounded.

“[Working] with kids I babysit makes my involvement in community outreach even more meaningful,” she said. “I consider myself incredibly fortunate and although I might not have high funds as a student, there are always ways for me to spread cheer, thanks and hope.”

Empathetic eavesdropping

It was a conversation VCU medical student Dev Sahni overheard in a grocery store line that moved him to action. In response to a daughter’s probing about Christmas gifts, he heard the child’s mother reply with an uncertainty that was disheartening.

“That night, I took a moment to reflect. I have an education, food, clothes, medical insurance and receive material gifts every year that end up sitting in my room. What about all the children in the surrounding areas of Richmond?” Sahni said. “The thought of a young child venturing over to his or her parents on Christmas Day and receiving nothing was heartbreaking. I was sad not only for the child, but the parents as well.”

Consequently, over a period of three days, Sahni raised $660 from friends and family. With the help of another VCU medical student, Sonal Vijayanagar, he purchased 66 toys from a Walmart Supercenter. He also received several toy donations, and donated all the items to the Richmond Toys for Tots Foundation. Upon delivering the items, Sahni said the words of a Toys for Tots volunteer confirmed the reason why he picked medicine and why he chose to give back.

“The lady who was volunteering to distribute toys looked up at me and stated, ‘You just made 70 kids happy,’” he said. “It is interactions and stories like this that drove me to pursue medicine. I want to make a lasting impact on my future patients. Picking out toys for the youth reminded me of my childhood. It was awesome.”

Catherine Howard, Ph.D., vice provost of the Division of Community Engagement, said the VCU community’s service efforts over the holidays reflect the work it does on a regular basis. This semester, the Corporation for National and Community Service named VCU a finalist for the 2015 General Community Service Presidential Award, recognizing the university as one of the top higher education institutions in the country for its commitment to community engagement.

“Our students give back all year long and in doing so they learn about the community and about themselves,” Howard said. “Sometimes, the season provides the time to reflect on our own blessings and by doing so we realize we have so much to share through our talents and resources.”

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