Wharton students sponsor party for kids

Jason StoverJason StoverDaily Pennsylvanian Staff Writer Wharton 101 students organized the celebration as part of their on-going community service project. During the party, the students entertained three and four-year-old children who donned costumes ranging from the television character Barney to the traditional clown outfit. The center provides day care to children whose lives have been affected by the AIDS virus either through their own infection with the virus or the infection of a caregiver, said Sister Patricia Roux, the center's director. Roux said the students had been planning the party for two weeks. "The students give children the individual attention and love that they need," Roux said. "I am very pleased to have Penn students help out." Wharton junior Dahra Mehta, a Wharton 101 teaching assistant, said this project was chosen by the students from a list of possible community service projects. "[Wharton 101] is a class for first year Wharton students that teaches them about leadership, communication and teaching skills," she said. "Students learn to work with teams and build skills that, in the long run, will help them in the workforce." Students in the class said they have found the experience rewarding. "I think this is absolutely fantastic," said Wharton freshman Steve Altman. "I think the mission of Wharton 101 is the most important thing that could be taught in Wharton -- that effective and kind communication are the most important things to have in business." And even though the Halloween party is over, some students are considering further involvement with the center in the future. "If I decide to do a volunteer project, I'll definitely come here first," Altman said. The need for volunteers at the center has led some students to create a new organization named SPARC, Student Participation at AIDS Respite Center. An organizer of the volunteer effort, Wharton and College freshman Libby Paskin, said the group seeks to "recruit more volunteers for the center." Roux said the center already cares for 35 children between the ages of four months and 10 years. She added that she could use as much help as possible. Roux said the demanding task of parenting is compounded by having a terminally ill child. The center allows busy parents to leave their children in good hands. Annette Hayes, mother of one of the children at the center, gave a very positive view of the student volunteers. "They play with [the kids], and give parents a chance to get away from their children," she said. The first meeting of SPARC will be held Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in room 217 of Steinberg-Dietrich Hall.