Hello again, and thanks for checking out my blog!

Do you like doing fun activities with good friends and meeting new friends in the process? Do you enjoy helping others? Would you be up for the challenge of having an empty stomach for a little over a day for a good cause to later be rewarded with an incredible dinner? If you answered yes to all of the above, you would probably enjoy the 30 Hour Fast, which is happening at Gannon this Friday and Saturday.

The 30 Hour Fast beings on Friday at noon, when those participating are asked to stop eating on their own, so that by 6 p.m. on Saturday they will have fasted for exactly 30 hours. The idea behind the 30 Hour Fast is to raise money so that children in Third World countries can eat. We choose to say “no” to hunger for 30 hours for a good cause.

I participated in the fast last year and it was a very fun time. On Friday evening, the fasters get together in the Palumbo Academic Center to discuss what service events are happening. Each individual receives a folder, informing them where they will go and at what time. The service opportunities at last year’s fast consisted of helping rake leaves at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, cleaning at a horse ranch, and/or playing with children. Each person is randomly chosen to go to two out of the three locations for Saturday morning.

After every person knows where they will be going for their events, the Friday night activities begin. They have rooms set up with different games like trivia and charades – there’s even a cornhole game! Around ten or so, the group leaders let everyone disperse so they can get some sleep, since the service events are first thing in the morning. You get to sleep wherever you want to in Palumbo. Trust me – it’s nice to be able to fall asleep in Palumbo when you’re not in class 🙂

Getting up the next morning is easy enough. The leaders come around and make sure you’re awake by running around making sounds equivalent to that of a herd of rhinos! It gets the job done and gives you a burst of energy that is comparable to coffee. Shortly after waking up, you head out to your assigned service site. They keep you so busy that you don’t even take notice of your own rumbling stomach. It’s as they say – when you keep busy, time flies so much faster.

Before you know it, you’re sitting in a circle with the entire fasting group, recalling your favorite part of the day. Then, shortly after, the moment you’ve been waiting for – the big feast! I won’t spoil the surprise here; you’ll have to see what the feast is. If possible, please come on out and have a great time. I’ll see you there! 🙂

If you have any questions or comments about the 30 Hour Fast, you can email me at myers038@gannon.edu or Maria Candelaria at (candelar002@gannon.edu).

Stuff You Might Also Like: Check out other ways Gannon students have provided service for those in need.