National Volunteer Week: In Depth with Paula Gabris

Editor’s note: In times of need, who can you count on? Everyday heroes are around us with spontaneous acts of kindness. Following the recent Boston Marathon Bombing, the images of citizens selflessly rushing to the aid of others in the midst of chaos was seen all over the news.

With National Volunteer Week, April 21-27, compassion towards the needs of others is so important. The attributes can be used to describe Excelsior College’s faculty and staff who collectively help various causes throughout the year.  This week we will share stories about  individuals working in higher education who are making a difference in their community.

Volunteer: Paula Gabris, Administrative Assistant, School of Nursing
Volunteer organizations: Patriot Hills of New York, Autism Society and Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Excelsior Life: Why is volunteerism personally important to you?
Gabris: Volunteerism is important to me because it’s my way of “paying it forward”.
It’s difficult to put into words! Sometimes, I wonder, if it’s an additional gene I was given at birth.

I didn’t volunteer when I was young; I wasn’t told that it is the right thing to do, giving back that is. I really can’t explain it.

Volunteerism has enhanced my personal life in many ways from making new friends to catching up with old friends. It has helped to shape my professional life I have acquired new skills that I apply everyday at my job.

It has become an important part of my lifestyle. I have gained a greater appreciation for life and all it offers, by giving back. There is some self satisfaction and relaxation I get from it. Serving others is something I am good at, I have no expectations when I volunteer, I am there to help because there is a need.

I think Danny Thomas says it best: “Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others”. -- Danny Thomas

I have volunteered for many organizations over the years and I am still trying to find the one or two organizations that are the best fit for me, that one group that I can give my very best and all my energy to. A lot of times, my volunteerism has been driven by family situations or illness.

Excelsior Life: Does it have a special meaning to you?
Gabris: For the past several years I have put my heart and soul into helping our veterans and their families. I have been a volunteer for a non-for-profit called Patriot Hills of New York ™.

Our mission is to take care of those who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom. Our goal is to build a facility in the Capital Region where we can provide a safe haven for our nation’s warriors and their loved ones, a place where they can reconnect. We want to provide access to needed services for our military personnel and their families. We believe they did their part now it is our turn to give back to them.

Recently I have decided to volunteer for the Autism Society - my youngest granddaughter Marisa, has been diagnosed with Autism. I am on a mission to learn everything there is about it so I can educate myself and others.

Lastly, I started to volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Foundation since my aunt was recently diagnosed with this very sad disease.

Excelsior Life: The volunteer events you are currently working on?
Gabris: At Excelsior College I am a member of the Community Service Committee and a returning member of the Wellness Committee; outside of work I volunteer for Patriot Hills of New York, the Center for Donation and Transplant and most currently the Autism Society.

‘I am a better person today because I am a Volunteer.”

“The highest reward for a person's work is not what they get for it, but what they become because of it”. -- John Ruskin

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Theatre Fairfield's Independent Project presents Pulitzer Prize-winning play "How I Learned to Drive" by Paula Vogel

January 25-27th, 2013
PepsiCo Theatre, Fairfield University

Theatre Fairfield, Fairfield University's resident production company, opens its 2013 theatrical season with an Independent Project production of "How I Learned to Drive," Paula Vogel's 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Student proposed, conceived, and produced, "How I Learned to Drive" will be a completely student-driven production. Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26, 2013, and at 2 p.m. Saturday January 26 and Sunday January 27, 2013, at the PepsiCo Theatre on Fairfield University's campus. Tickets are $7 for General Admission, and $5 for Students. Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396), and online at www.quickcenter.com. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of performance at the PepsiCo Theatre, but are subject to availability. The PepsiCo Theatre is located at 1073 North Benson Road, on the campus of Fairfield University, in Fairfield, CT. This production was made possible by the generous support of the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation.

"The Independent Project offers a valuable opportunity to learn the ins and outs of putting on a play under 'real world' circumstances," said Fairfield University theatre major Michael Maio '13, who is directing this year's production. "The company returned early from winter break and labored tirelessly over the past three weeks to put together a show we are proud of that is completely our own."

Paula Vogel's "How I Learned to Drive" tells the story of Lil' Bit, a young woman reflecting on her life and the relationships she has had. It focuses on one relationship in particular, her relationship with an older man. Vogel's play challenges society's conception of what love is and what defines a healthy, stable connection. "This play makes us all look at our concept of love and stretch out minds," explains Maio, who chose it for this year's project. "It forces us to face some difficult subject matters, and leaves us to ponder why humans are the way they are, is it nature vs. nurture? The show itself is also witty, funny, and thought-provoking. The characters are larger-than-life, and all are challenges for our performers. We wanted a show that would challenge the audience and the entire company."

The cast and crew of Theater Fairfield's "How I Learned to Drive" includes: director Michael Maio (Seekonk, MA); scenic designer Joe Plouffe '13 (Brockton, MA); Maggie Greene '15 (Portland, OR), as Lil' Bit; Plouffe as Peck; Brendan Freeman '15 (Shrewsbury, MA), as Male Greek Chorus; Katie Premus '15 (Staten Island, NY), as Teenage Greek Chorus; and DiMenna-Nyselius reference librarian Elise Bochinski as Female Greek Chorus. Ms. Bochinski, the only non-student member of the company, returns to Theatre Fairfield after playing the Nurse in "Romeo & Juliet," and the Teacher/ Reporter in last year's Independent Project "Speech & Debate." The crew on this production includes, Kelan McDonnell '15 (Winfield, IL); Ryan Champlin '16 (Warwick, RI); Mary Corigliano '14 (Old Saybrook, CT); Logan Pratt '15 (Cohasset, MA); and Christina Barry '15 (Leominster, MA).

The Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation provides educational and career development opportunities in the arts. The Hulley Foundation accepts student proposals and has previously supplied funds for Theatre Fairfield's Independent Project.

Image: Rehearsing a scene from Theatre Fairfield's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "How I Learned to Drive" are Fairfield University's Joe Plouffe '13, as Peck, and Maggie Greene '15, as Lil' Bit (left-to-right).

Media Contact: Mike Horyczun, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2647, mhoryczun@fairfield.edu

Posted on January 17, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 153

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