At Your Service! Lebanon’s Kara Harpel
Doubles Up on Giving Back at La Salle University

Lebanon’s Kara Harpel recently won the La Salle University Psychology Department’s Service Award for a sophomore. A year ago she won the award given to a freshman psychology major. Can she make it three in a row next year?

“I am going to apply again as a junior, making it a top goal to win the award all four years I’m at La Salle,” said Harpel, who graduated from Cedar Crest High School “I will try my hardest to find the time to volunteer so that I can be a top candidate next year. I was surprised and very excited when I heard I won the award for my sophomore year. I love to volunteer, so it is a bonus to be able to put another Psych Service Award on my resume that shows what I love to do.”

Harpel grew up learning to give back: Mary Lee, her mother, was in the Girl Scouts through high school, and now is an active member with the Jr. Women's Club. In recent years, the family has volunteered for many events with the Church of the Good Shepherd, including a visit to inmates at Lebanon County Prison to serve a Christmas meal and talk.

“I’m the volunteer girl,” Mary Lee Harpel said.

While at La Salle, Kara Harpel tutors at Logan Elementary School near the University. “I am a Big Sister for a third grader, Anisah. I go there to be a mentor, and we play games, do many crafts, coloring and drawing. I help her with any work she is struggling with, and we read, and play outside. I try to run around with her when I go during recess, but most of our hour is spent laughing during board games and crafts,” said Harpel. “She really opens up to me and trusts me, so I feel the program is very effective.”

“It was very easy for me to continue volunteering at La Salle because so many programs are promoted through flyers, clubs, and field hockey volunteering events,” said Harpel. “I recently did a street clean up with my field hockey team. I found it very easy to find a volunteer program that interested me, since I have worked many different projects over the years.”

Harpel is attending La Salle on a field hockey scholarship (she plays forward) and has a 3.67 GPA. She and with her field hockey teammates put on a recent clinic for sixth-grade students at Logan Elementary School.

During her semester break last winter, Harpel again visited prisoners, delivering meals and presents on Christmas Eve. “It was a little scary at first,” she said of re-visiting the prison. “I knew a couple of the work release prisoners who were there for minor crimes so I was able to have meaningful talks about morals and trying to find a good support group when they get their freedom back.”