Campus Ministry Receives Champion of Good Works Award: Recognizing Dedication to Service and Spiritual Guidance!

The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) has selected Felician University as one of the winners of its “Champion of Good Works” awards. All award winners were celebrated at the CIANJ’s recent Chairman’s Reception.

As part of its ongoing efforts to celebrate corporate philanthropy and the many ways that businesses lend a helping hand, CIANJ asked for submissions from its members highlighting community service projects that help children, homeless, veterans, etc. Awards were given for extraordinary efforts, and Felician was highlighted for its ministry to the homeless through its Midnight Run project.

The Felician University Campus Ministry, under the direction of Father Rich Kelly, director, and Sister Teresa Soltys, assistant director, reaches out to the homeless in New York City four times during the academic year as part of the “Midnight Run” experience. This volunteer effort allows students to make late night trips to New York City to distribute food, clothing and personal care items to the City’s homeless living on the streets. In addition, prior to the scheduled trip, students collect, pack and prepare clothing and food for distribution. Last year more than 200 students participated in this worthwhile project.

This year the program has expanded to include trips to feed the hungry and homeless at Penn Station in Newark, NJ.

“We are honored that Felician’s efforts toward feeding the homeless have been recognized by CIANJ,” said Father Rich. “It is a wonderful opportunity to highlight our Franciscan mission and values and to allow people to see them come to life.”