SJC Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps

April 25, 2011 LI

PATCHOGUE, NY APRIL 26, 2011 St. Josephs College recently hosted a group of returned Peace Corps volunteers for an informative lecture in celebration of the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary. The group presented their stories and shared their experiences about the benefit of helping others.

"This lecture was in celebration of the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary, said Bill Reed, former Peace Corps volunteer who helped organize the lecture. "The Peace Corps mission ties into SJCs belief in the spirit of giving and serving others. These volunteers come from very diverse backgrounds but each one of them was moved to respond to the call for service. Hopefully their experiences have inspired SJC students.

Striving for a world in peace, Peace Corps volunteers respond to the needs of others in various locations such as Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East. Volunteers work with a community overseas, providing technical assistance in education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture and environment. 

"The Peace Corps changed my life, said Linda Restino-Merola, former Peace Corps volunteer and member of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Long Island. "It takes a certain kind of person to give of your time but it truly made me a better person.