Hundreds at UNE prepare to volunteer for second annual Day of Service

Five hundred members of the University of New England community, including students, faculty and staff, are expected to participate in the university’s second annual Day of Service on Saturday, October 15. Participants will be greeted by Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant, Saco Mayor Ronald Michaud and UNE President Danielle Ripich before dispersing to more than 25 local non-profit organizations, where they will spend the day volunteering.

Participants in the Day of Service will take part in activities such as performing clean-up of parks, trails, roadsides and nursing home grounds; registering blood donors; painting; repairing buildings; installing smoke alarms in homes of families in need; and assisting the elderly and disabled with at-home tasks.

While the inaugural Day of Service last year drew volunteers from all colleges and departments of the university, the majority of participating students were from the College of Arts and Sciences. This year’s event, said President Ripich, is receiving even more widespread support. “This is truly a multi-college cooperative effort,” she said, “and we hope that as we come together as a university to give back to our community, perhaps others will be inspired to give of their time as well.”

UNE’s Day of Service is organized by the university’s Office of Citizenship and Civic Engagement.

Local organizations providing volunteer sites include the American Red Cross, Volunteers of America Northern New England, Saco Bay Trails, Bon Appetit Meals Program, City of Biddeford Fire Department and Public Works Department, Saco Parks and Recreation, Heart of Biddeford, Saco Food Pantry, Biddeford School Department, St. Andre Health Care, the Northern York County YMCA, and York County Community Action Corporation.