Heritage Day

Schedule

• 8:00 - 8:45 am: *Breakfast in The STAR or Clewell Dining Hall (optional)
• 8:45 - 9:15 am: Arrive in Johnston Hall (MU Marching Band concert)
• 9:00 - 10:30 am: Tradition:
  • What is Heritage Day?
  • Learning Moravian & Bethlehem facts
  • Celebrating Different Heritages in our Campus Community
  • Singing of the Alma Mater
  • Remarks by President Grigsby, ‘90
• 10:30 - 12:45 pm: Service:
  • Travel to service locations (on-campus and off-campus)
  • Participate in service 
• 12:45 - 2:00 pm: Community:
  • 2023 group photo on Mak Field
  • Lunch on PPHAC patio (rain location: HUB)
• 2:00 pm : **Lovefeast at the big chair (optional)

Optional Events:

• * Breakfast is optional (meal swipes, houndbucks & credit cards accepted as payment)
• ** The Lovefeast is the sharing of food among members of a group to build good-will and harmony. Here, volunteers from among the students, staff and faculty will serve pastries to the participants. We realize that in some contexts, lovefeasts are also associated with religious rituals. While linking our lovefeast to any sort of religion is not the intent, if anyone is uncomfortable with participating in this part of our day, please omit this from your schedule.

Moravian University strives to create a learning environment that is accessible to all students.  If you are experiencing disability-related barriers to participating in this event, you should contact the Office of Disability & Accommodations (ODA) at oda@moravian.edu.  
 

FAQs about our 8th Annual Heritage Day

Q: Where do I report on Wednesday morning? What time?

• Please come to Johnston Hall -- doors open at 8:45AM and the morning program starts promptly at 9:15AM.
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Q: What should I wear?

*Please note that this event is rain or shine! Make sure you are prepared for the weather, as some sites involve outdoor activities*

• A shirt that you would be okay if it got permanently dirtied
• Pants or shirts
• Flat, closed-toed shoes - sneakers are best!
• Hat or visor

Q: Will classes be held?

• Offices will be closed and traditional classes will not be held between 7AM-4PM; all classes from 4PM on will run as scheduled.

Q: Should I bring my own water?

• Yes, please be sure to bring your own reusable water bottle with you. 

Q: Do I pick my service site?

• Yes! You are welcome to choose your own site upon arrival. All you need to do is show up ready to learn, serve, and connect with our community! 

There will be opportunities including:

• Children 
• Animals 
• Education
• Environmental Sustainability
• Hunger & Homelessness Basic Needs
• Arts & Culture 
• & more!

Q: Is there a sensory-friendly space available for this event? 

• Yes! Please complete this form by September 15 so we can plan for your attendance.  For questions, please contact Tracy Urban (urbant@moravian.edu)

Q: Should I bring my laptop/iPad?

• No, there will be no secure place to leave electronic devices during your service.

Q: Can I take pictures at the service site?

• Yes, your site captain will assign one member of your group to capture photos of the service experience. Please be mindful of taking pictures only of members of the Moravian University community. We are not permitted to take photos of children, employees, or visitors at our assigned service sites. Please be respectful of privacy.

Q: If I am at my service site, who do I call in the case of an emergency?

• Your site captain will have direct contact information for the point person on campus for unexpected circumstances. In the event of a health emergency, please call 911.

Q: Do I need to bring sunscreen?

• No, please apply sunscreen prior to your arrival. All sites that require work outside will have sunscreen and bug spray available to you, if needed.

Q: What community partners are we working with this year?

• American Cancer Society
• Bethlehem Public Library
• Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem
• Celtic Fest
• Community Bike Works
• Cops N Kids
• D&L Trail
• Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center
• Essentials Cafe & Garden
• Feed the Children
• Habitat for Humanity
• Lehigh County Humane Society
• Lehigh Valley Trash Pact
• Meals on Wheels
• Monocacy Creek
• Monocacy Watershed Association
• New Bethany Ministries
• Red Cross
• Second Harvest Food Bank
• Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
• Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley
• Valley Youth House
• Vespers
• Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley
• William Penn Elementary School
  YMCA Allentown

Q: How do offices communicate the closure for Heritage Day?

Here are some examples:

VOICEMAIL

Thank you for contacting Moravian University. As you may know, Moravian University is celebrating its 283rd anniversary, and today, Wednesday, September 20th, is our 8th annual Heritage Day celebration. Our offices are closed as we celebrate Moravian tradition, community and service together. Thank you for your patience, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

EMAIL
Thank you for contacting me. As you may know, Moravian University is celebrating its 283rd anniversary, and today, Wednesday, September 20th, is our 8th annual Heritage Day celebration. Our offices are closed as we celebrate Moravian tradition, community and service together. Thank you for your patience, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
 

Past Successes

• 2016: 1,195 students, faculty, and staff served with 27 organizations
• 2017: 1,271 students, faculty, and staff served with 44 organizations
• 2018: 1,281 students, faculty, and staff served with 47 organizations
• 2019: 1,308 students, faculty and staff served with 24 organizations
• 2020: Took a pause for the safety of our community
• 2021: 1,006 students, faculty, and staff served with 26 organizations