The Charger Blog

Day of Service Enables Chargers to Give Back to Local Community

More than 100 students recently served the local community as part of three service projects, making a meaningful impact and important community connections.

August 30, 2023

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Students helped with a cleanup at the Gather New Haven Community Garden.
Students helped with a cleanup at the Gather New Haven Community Garden.

Ever since she was in high school, Catherine Tomczyk Ӱԭ24 MPA has taken every opportunity to volunteer. She recently had the chance to do just that while also connecting with the University and local communities.

Tomczyk was among the more than 100 Chargers who rolled up their sleeves on the UniversityӰԭs 5th annual Day of Service. They took part in three separate and impactful projects at sites in local cities and towns.

ӰԭI like giving back to organizations that need our help,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭIt can be challenging for them to get people to help because of demands on their time, but itӰԭs so important.Ӱԭ

ӰԭYour volunteer efforts are truly benefitting your communityӰԭ

Tomczyk spent part of the day volunteering at the Soundview YMCA Play Area Building in Branford, Conn. It was an opportunity sheӰԭd been looking forward to since she enjoys working with kids. Chargers also helped with a cleanup at the Gather New Haven Community Garden and sorted diapers at the Diaper Bank of Connecticut in North Haven, Conn. ThatӰԭs where Jeremy Wilson Ӱԭ24 volunteered.

Students volunteered at the Diaper Bank of Connecticut.
Students volunteered at the Diaper Bank of Connecticut.

ӰԭIӰԭm a big fan of community service, and I get joy from doing it,Ӱԭ said Wilson, a biochemistry major. ӰԭI like to give back to the community. I hope we could help some families. This was also an important opportunity for us to help build community and connections with each other.Ӱԭ

Before heading to their respective sites, students got charged up to give back at an on-campus rally. It brought together volunteers, as well as local leaders, including West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi, who thanked students for their commitment to their community.

ӰԭIӰԭm excited to see so many students here,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭIt is so important to give back to those in need. Your volunteer efforts are truly benefitting your community.Ӱԭ

ӰԭYour actions create a ripple of changeӰԭ

Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., the UniversityӰԭs interim president, is a Ӱԭproud residentӰԭ of West Haven. He was impressed by the studentsӰԭ dedication. He says Chargers continue to make a meaningful impact on the West Haven community Ӱԭ and beyond.

ӰԭI see you all in the local stores, beaches, and around the community, and you make important contributions,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭNow youӰԭre here giving back, and IӰԭm excited to see you all here.Ӱԭ

The University works with to host the event. Maria Arnold, chief development officer, took part in the welcome event and commended students for their dedication to service.

ӰԭThis event is an extension between the remarkable partnership between the University and the United Way,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭTogether, we dream of a community that is strong, equitable, and where everyone has opportunities. Your actions create a ripple of change that resonates beyond today.Ӱԭ

Students were charged up to give back and connect with the local community.
Students were charged up to give back and connect with the local community.
ӰԭPart of a bigger communityӰԭ

For JJ Dionisio Ӱԭ25, the event was something heӰԭd been looking forward to. He took part in last yearӰԭs Day of Service, and it was an experience that he says was very special. He couldnӰԭt wait to be a part of it again.

Chargers helped out at the Soundview YMCA.
Chargers helped out at the Soundview YMCA.

ӰԭItӰԭs our job as student leaders to take the lead in giving back in the community,Ӱԭ said Dionisio, a resident assistant in Gerber Hall. ӰԭIt all starts with us. I hope today lights a fire in us that we just canӰԭt put out. There are so many places near us that need our help, that will let us feed that fire.Ӱԭ

ӰԭWe want to give back not just because itӰԭs the morally right thing to do,Ӱԭ added Julia Walas Ӱԭ25 M.S., a candidate in the UniversityӰԭs graduate program in speech-language pathology. ӰԭIt also makes us stronger.Ӱԭ

For many students, the Day of Service was an exciting opportunity not only to give back, but to deepen their connections to the local community. For Tomczyk, the YMCA volunteer, that was part of what made the event so meaningful.

ӰԭWe always focus on building our campus community, but we are also a part of a bigger community,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭItӰԭs great to connect with that community.Ӱԭ

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