Together for Others: A Sisterhood of Service
In December, the Saint Mary’s Alumnae Association issued a call to action for Alumnae Clubs to join Together for Others: A Sisterhood of Service for those in need. The initiative, inspired by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, aligns with the roots of faith and service instilled in the women of Saint Mary’s across generations.
The Washington DC Alumnae Club first introduced Together for Others to its members in 1985. Over the years, it has brought holiday magic to schools, daycares, centers serving the unhoused, religious communities, even a US Naval medical ship. In 2025, the DC club helped the Alumnae Association Board of Directors take the project to alumnae across the nation, inviting them to partake in this remarkable program.
The national Together for Others: A Sisterhood of Service Campaign is an idea based on a simple premise—that all across the country, during the same period of time, Saint Mary’s College alumnae could join together to conduct a national service effort. Consisting of Alumnae Clubs, friend groups, and solo alumnae, this service effort shows what we do best—caring, empowering, and working together for others.
“Whether you contribute by wealth, wisdom, or good, old-fashioned hard work, the Together for Others project is a wonderful example of how one alumnae community can come together for two weeks a year to share their talents and resources with those who could truly benefit from this holiday commitment,” said Beth Lichtenfels Veihmeyer ’77, former president of the DC club and founder of the Together for Others initiative. “It’s easy, meaningful, and reflects the very best of the women of Saint Mary’s College.”
Nicole O’Toole Peterson ’15, member of the Alumnae Association, was thrilled at the response from clubs. “I am ecstatic, but not at all surprised, about the success of this event for its inaugural year. When you ask Saint Mary's women to do something, they tend to inspire you. It truly gave me chills to think of all of the lives our program touched during the holiday season. I can't wait to see the program grow.”
Veihmeyer and Peterson look forward to the 2026 Together for Others campaign and encourage even more participation. “Whether you are a newer club with just a few active members, or a larger legacy club, the wonderful part about this service project is that anyone can participate on any scale,” Peterson said.
Veihmeyer adds: “It is a truly incredible way to unite in service to your underserved neighbors at a time of year when we seek ways to share the true meaning of Christmas. Every project is unique, some large, some smaller, but all equally impactful. It’s also a wonderful expression of what it means to be a Belle, and a part of the amazing sisterhood that we share as alumnae of Saint Mary’s College.”
Alumnae Clubs and individuals from across the country boldly answered the call in myriad and creative ways. Hundreds participated and shared their stories of service with the Alumnae office at the College. What follows are a few of the highlights.
Washington, DC
The Washington DC Alumnae Club reported that the 2025 Together for Others campaign raised a total of $32,700. According to Beth Lichtenfels Veihmeyer ’77, former president of the DC club, these funds allowed the club to provide food for four months to each of five deserving families; provide Christmas dinners for 250 unhoused neighbors, and donate $2,700 to the Mother Pauline Pantry at Saint Mary’s.
“We are really pleased with how it all worked out,” Veihmeyer said. “I received so many notes and cards from local alums expressing their support for the project and their pride in SMC for establishing a national service initiative. All in all, it was one of our favorite Together For Others campaigns!”
South Bend, Indiana
The South Bend Alumnae Club packaged 500 meals at Cultivate Food Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing hunger and food waste. “Knowing that our efforts would directly help local individuals facing food insecurity left us with a profound sense of accomplishment. Many members expressed how the experience opened their eyes to the challenge of hunger in our own community and inspired them to seek further service opportunities,” said Kelly Thetard Graft '07.
Graft shared that on the evening of their event, 12 club members gathered at Cultivate's facility. After a brief orientation about food safety and the organization’s mission, they got to work. The process involved sorting rescued food, assembling balanced meal kits, and carefully packaging them for distribution.
“We worked efficiently as a team, encouraging one another and sharing laughs while remaining focused on the importance of our mission,” she said. “Volunteering together not only amplifies our impact but also fosters connection and a shared sense of purpose among our members. We encourage others in the Belle community to get involved and help make a difference.
“Packaging food at Cultivate South Bend was more than just a service project; it was a powerful reminder of the positive change we can create when we come together. Our Alumnae Club remains committed to supporting our neighbors and building a stronger, more compassionate community around us.”
Indianapolis, Indiana
Several alumnae from the Indianapolis Alumnae Club adopted a Riley Children’s Hospital patient and their family for Christmas.
When you ask Saint Mary's women to do something, they tend to inspire you. It truly gave me chills to think of all of the lives our program touched during the holiday season. I can't wait to see the program grow.
- Nicole O’Toole Peterson ’15
Cleveland/Akron, Ohio
“During the first two weeks of the month, the Alumnae Club of Cleveland/Akron collected nonperishable food donations from alumnae across our region,” said Michelle Harbinak Shapiro '00. “Then on December 13, we came together to stock the shelves of the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry at the Good Shepherd Family Center with all the goods we had gathered!”
Toledo, Ohio
The Toledo Alumnae Club gathered for an Advent Sunday Mass and brunch, during which they collected over 100 items, including hats, gloves, and mittens, which they donated to Friends of Lucas County Children’s Services. “It was a joy to help children in our area as we approach the Christmas season,” said Elizabeth Munger Szymanski '12.
Youngstown, Ohio
Alumnae from the Youngstown/Warren OH area donated gifts to the families served by Beatitude House, a shelter and ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Alumnae Club members Susan Fitzgerald Rice ’61 and Maureen Cassidy ’71, along with Susan’s husband, Don, worked at Saint Agnes Catholic Church’s Brother Andre Center sorting donated gifts to ensure a joyful holiday season for those in need at this ministry, which was established by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
The Los Angeles Orange County Club collaborated with the Brother Saint Andre Center at St. Agnes Parish with Christmas gifts for families.
Saint Louis, Missouri
Saint Louis Alumnae Club member Jennifer Eiswirth Christy ’93 and her daughters Camryn, Kydal ’26, and Kyla (ND ’29) began fostering dogs, over 500 to date, through the Animal Protection Agency (APA) of Missouri. In 2025, Jennifer and her daughters were honored with APA‘s Ella H. Megginson Award for their dedication to animal welfare “This experience has been amazing for our family,” Jennifer said. “My girls have grown up understanding that it is not about ‘living your best life,’ rather, it is about using the gifts God has blessed us with to serve others.” She noted their work is not all cuddles, walks, and love. “It's a rescue, and [the dogs] come to us hurt, traumatized, scared, starved, and abused.” Helping the animals overcome this trauma, learn to trust again, begin to play, and even to dig up a garden are the God moments of the work for Jennifer and her daughters.
Also in Saint Louis, Sister Alex Vizard ’16, a member of the Daughters of Charity congregation in Belleville, Illinois, gathered with 11 fellow Saint Mary’s alumnae on December 11 at the Saint Patrick's Parish Center to serve a “summer picnic” meal to those experiencing homelessness. While it was a challenge to grill burgers in the middle of December, the meal was requested by the clients and was a welcomed respite from the casseroles they’re usually served in winter. “While simple, we felt it was important to honor their desires,” Vizard said. “Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed the experience. It spurred a lot of energy and desire to do more events and more service together. It was a great opportunity to get alumnae in the area together as our club has not formally been active in awhile. Alumnae assisting with the meal were Lisa Roelle ’05, Cindy Cooney ’80, Sharon Dillane ’80, Susan Johnson ’72, Melissa Allen ’91, Audrey Leonard ’10, Katie Ineich ’10, Cheryl Fisher ’'93, Anne Vitale ’94, Rebecca Soriano ’94, Sister Alex Vizard ’16, and Galicia Guerrero-Dunn ’14.
Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago West Alumnae Club made Christmas brighter for two families with hospitalized children from Saint Catherine and Saint Lucy parishes in Oak Park, through their gifts of clothing, household items, and gift cards for gas and groceries.
Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, Illinois
Judy Mardoian Gavoor ’76 said members of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Alumnae Club participated in their third-annual Day of Giving, working hand-in-hand with Lake County, Ill. Catholic Charities. At the event, alumnae distributed packaged Christmas gifts to underserved families.
Additional Service Projects
MaryMaud Guillot Carr ’66 from Bunkie, Louisiana, participated as well. “First off, let me say how excited I was to see that Saint Mary’s had signed on to a service project for Advent. It is a wonderful idea and I hope it continues for many years,” she said. “I do not have access to an alumnae club, so I picked a project I could do which is both helpful for the recipients and comforting for me to do. I love to knit and wanted to try a new knitting technique I learned this summer. I have made newborn baby hats which I donated to the Cenla Pregnancy Center. My knitting group regularly donates to this group.”'
Patricia S. Waldeck ’67 volunteers year-around in various capacities in the Los Angeles area. Through her church, she and fellow volunteers serve hot meals to the unhoused, a program she’s directed for the past seven years. “It is heartwarming to see our guests linger over dessert and coffee in a place known for its safety and welcoming atmosphere," she said. Waldeck also visits the Veterans' Community Living Center in West Los Angeles with Bella, her Standard Poodle, offering comfort to resident veterans. One veteran living with multiple sclerosis noted that he can handle the tough road ahead because “Bella will be there with me every step of the way.”
Nadia Muniz ‘24 became involved in an organization called Building Impact, which connects companies with local non-profits. “I decorated tote-bags and filled them with basic hygiene products and necessities such as bandaids, sterile wipes, electrolyte packets, water bottles, tylenol etc. for Remote Area Medical, an organization that provides free, quality healthcare. The second organization was Transition House, an organization that works to provide support for individuals surviving domestic violence. I packed care packages for little kids living in shelters to have something sweet for the holidays like hot chocolate, coloring pages, Christmas ornament decorating kits, etc.
My girls have grown up understanding that it is not about "living your best life," rather, it is about using the gifts God has blessed us with to serve others.
- Jennifer Eiswirth Christy ’93
Geraldine Bennett ’71 has volunteered at her local hospital for 18 years. Most of the time was spent in the gift shop. “Now I am at the front information desk. At both locations I have really enjoyed the interaction with people. Last year another volunteer and I took on the project of making "port pillows" for the infusion center. They go on the seat belt to provide cushioning for the implanted ports.” So vital to the institution, Bennett received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
Kerry Brown Hasbrook ’92 is the co-founder of a not-for-profit in Chicago, Radical Generosity Chicago, which serves the unhoused and shelter-insecure population. “My sister (an ND grad) and I are honored to do this work on a nearly full-time basis despite having other jobs (I'm a Licensed Clinical Psychologist + she's in business). We have very faithful SMC + ND supporters for which we are truly grateful.”
Meg Fischer Spartz ’99 lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is part of Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation, an organization dedicated to running medical service-learning trips to Honduras and Mexico. “The type of care we provide is varied—vein and wound care, fistula placement for dialysis, prolotherapy for pain management, ENT, and dental. I have participated in the vein and wound trips in Honduras yearly since 2014. I am a physician and we see hundreds of patients with severe venous disease and chronic wounds in all three clinic sites we service in Honduras over the course of a week every March. The need for vein and wound care continues in the communities we serve. We treat large numbers of ulcers, severe varicosities, and edematous legs. Without our annual clinics, there is very little to no vein or wound care available to these patients. What we do there matters a lot. I’ve brought my sons along on the trip the last couple years which has been amazing to share this experience with them as well.”
Mary Anne Poinsatte ’79 is not part of an alumnae club, but as the wife, mother, sister-in-law and daughter-in- law of Notre Dame graduates, she is active in the Notre Dame Club of Chattanooga, Tenn., serving on its board and as the alumni volunteer coordinator. She is also involved with ND Women Connect. “For the past few years, our club has supplied coats and toys to the children who have moved to Chattanooga from other countries through Bridge Refugee Services. We started out with less than 20 children—this year we were handed a list of 56 children (ages 1 - 17). Myself and another club member do all the shopping for the project. This year we were told that 14 children should get coats and toys, and 42 should just receive coats. Poinsatte wrote a grant for the Lennon Life Prize at Notre Dame, and was awarded $1,000. “Together with the grant and donations from our very generous club members, we were able to provide each child with a coat and a gift. We were also able to make a donation of $750 to Bridge to use on the families who they may be helping in 2026. After a wrapping party, we delivered the gifts to Bridge on Monday. The organization used to have a party for the children where they would receive their gifts—this year we were told there would not be a party. But we feel grateful to have been given the opportunity to make these children, and their parents, feel welcomed this Christmas.
Nan Tomshack Tulchinsky ‘64 is another perennial volunteer, who currently directs the North West Neighborhood Food Pantry in South Bend, Ind. The pantry is a repurposed fire station just south of the University of Notre Dame, where Tulchinsky and fellow alumna Mary Ellen Rusinek Koepfle '78 volunteer. The pantry saw dramatic increases in the need for food during the COVID 19 pandemic, and expanded its efforts to feed the hungry. “Our pastor said to me: ‘Nan, you have seen Christ in your families, and they have to see Christ in you,’” she said.
Jeanne Conboy Kosmala '78 of Duluth, Georgia. “Some of us who are retired spend our time doing volunteer work year round. December is an especially busy time for those of us who work with charities assisting the poor. We help people get Thanksgiving food, gifts for children, avoid eviction, offer rent, food and utility assistance,etc. It may not be specifically with fellow Saint Mary's alumnae, but it is because of the path that our education at Saint Mary's pointed us in. Food for thought.”
Irene O’Leary Van Beckum ’57 and her family restocked the food bank at the Tricklebee Cafe in Milwaukee, Wisc. This will include two SMC grads, Meghan Cassidy ’06 and Erin Cassidy ’15.
This collective effort, during the holidays and throughout the year, highlights the faith and the mission of the College. Together for Others taps the strengths, talents, and unselfish generosity of Saint Mary’s women in a sisterhood of service. According to Jeanne Conboy Kosmala ’78 of Duluth, Georgia: “It's the path that our education at Saint Mary's pointed us in.”
January 30, 2026