PHILADELPHIA (April 6, 2011) - On Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., fun and service will intersect as Saint Joseph’s University’s Hagan Arena transforms into Las Vegas for the annual Hand-in-Hand festival. This year the organization, which fosters unity and interaction between the SJU Community and people with special needs, will celebrate its 35th Anniversary.

Hand-in-Hand volunteers, aptly referred to as “friends” for the day, are drawn from the Saint Joseph’s Community and local high schools and accompany guests as they enjoy the games, prizes and entertainment the event has to offer. This year’s Vegas-themed festival will feature a roulette table, a dice wheel game, a photo booth, quarter pitch, blackjack and the dazzling feats of magicians.

The live soundtrack includes DJs, SJU student bands and even a dose of the King, as there will be more than one Elvis Presley impersonator walking around the festival.

Year in and year out, Hand-in-Hand is such a hit that some special needs guests have attended for 30 years running. “There is no greater gratification than seeing the excitement of our guests and having them ask what the date of our next event is,” says student co-director Desiree Ortiz ’11.

Many volunteers offer their help for multiple years. Both of this year’s student directors, Ortiz and Kate Hahn ’11, have been involved with the organization since they were freshmen.

“My experiences at SJU would not have been same without the work I have done for Hand-in-Hand,” senior elementary and special education major Kate Hahn says. “The positive relationships I have formed with students and the community, along with the memories that I have made, are simply irreplaceable.”

In addition to Hand-in-Hand, the largest student organization on campus, numerous student groups volunteer their time to make the day successful after a year of careful planning and fundraising.  Helping make this year’s event possible was a generous donation from engaged SJU alumni Leo Strupczewski ’06, and Letitia Murphy ’06.