By Briana Williams–
The university has vastly grown over the years and with it, the commitment to community service. Last year, with hopes to further this commitment, U of L implemented its first Day of service. On April 8, the second annual Day of Service was held and had even more volunteers than last year.
For the day, U of L allows staff to take the day off and serve in various locations around Louisville. Students are also able to partake. With 100 volunteers, no location lacked help.
Locations for this year included the Americana Community Center, Parkhill Community Center, Wayside Christian Mission & Hotel Louisville and the South Louisville Community Center. Volunteers included staff, faculty and students.
Dr. Ralph Fitzpatrick, Associate Vice President of Community Engagement at U of L, promised the day to be “an exciting community service work experience.”
Volunteers completed various activities that beautified and organized the community centers. Among services performed were mulching playgrounds, exterior and interior painting, general cleaning and even planting garden beds. However, some volunteers also worked hands-on with the community and monitored game rooms and assisted in arts and crafts with community center youths.
The day began at 9 a.m. with volunteers gathering outside of Grawmeyer Hall for meeting and photo opportunities with President Ramsey and an overall review of the day’s events. By 4 p.m., the volunteers had completed their work on a long, but rewarding day of helping the community.
Anyone at U of L was able to apply to be a volunteer and lunch, transportation to locations and t-shirts were provided.
While this year’s festivities have come to a close, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in next year’s Day of Service to bring U of L closer to its goal of being more community oriented.
The university has a Carnegie Foundation Elective Community Engagement Classification status and is working to contribute more to, not only the campus, but Louisville as a whole. This idea and active participation in engagement stems from the university’s 2020 Plan.
