From The Heart: Bona Swim and Dive Provides Helping Hands To The Community

The 'From The Heart' feature series takes an in-depth look at St. Bonaventure student-athletes and coaches. Named for the beloved Merton's Heart that overlooks campus, this series will tell the stories of Bonnies athletic programs on and off the field.

When the Bonnies men's and women's swim and dive programs were honored with the Donald L. Korben Community Service Award in 2023, they were recognized for going “beyond the call of duty” in volunteering their service to the surrounding community. 

That trend of service from the programs continues with the Bonnies regularly pitching in to help those who are less fortunate. Once again this past academic year, Bonnies Swim and Dive logged more volunteer hours than any other team on campus.

“Creating an environment of gratitude and humility is a big part of what community service is about for our program,” Bonnies head coach Mike Smiechowski says. “Having that instilled in our team creates a good culture within the athletic side of things.”         

The Bonnies’ Swim and Dive teams take on many different community engagement activities. The team volunteers with local organizations, including the Warming House and Genesis House. They also take part in community clean-ups, bell ringing for Salvation Army, and holiday-themed events during the winter. 

These opportunities are provided to the team by Tom Buttafarro, director of government and community relations at St. Bonaventure. Over the last three years, Buttafarro has been working with Coach Smiechowski to develop the swim and dive teams’ presence in the community. This volunteer work strongly reflects the value of community, one of St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan values. “Community service just comes naturally," Buttafarro said. "That’s engrained in us as Franciscans.”

The Warming House is one of the team’s favorite locations to volunteer at. The soup kitchen is run by St. Bonaventure and is one of the oldest student-run soup kitchens in the country, now in its 50th year of operation. Last year they served over 23,000 meals to members in the community, thanks in large part to volunteer work from the Bonnies’ students. This year, members of the Swim and Dive teams are helping over St. Bonaventure’s winter break. Most students on campus go home over winter break, leaving the Warming House to rely on athletes for help. 

The swimmers also enjoy volunteering at the Genesis House. This is a local homeless shelter in Olean, providing shelter while also helping families find more permanent housing. 

Junior Paris Christie has had experience the last two years with helping at the Genesis House. Christie explained, “It’s very rewarding. It helps a part of the community that we don’t really get to see that often.” The team does many different jobs including cleaning the yard, cooking, repainting, and fixing different areas around the house. 

Along with the team community service, Christie also takes part in the Bona Buddies program at St. Bonaventure. This program connects local kids, ages 5-15, with students from St. Bonaventure. For two hours after school, the mentors meet up with the kids and do different activities around campus. The program is meant to provide the local children with a role model and friend, but the program gives back to St. Bonaventure students as well. Christie described the program as “rewarding,” saying it allows her to be a role model in her community. 

By helping the community, the Bonnies swimmers and divers are gaining experience that will stick with them the rest of their lives. By getting the athletes involved, Buttafarro anticipates the students will see the world differently. 

“They see how giving back, even in small doses, can make a lot of difference.”