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Paige Little ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™22 spent a recent Friday morning playing with children at . She and several of her fellow students hosted a field day for the kids, who are enrolled in the Head Start program at the community house, ensuring they were having fun in a safe and welcoming environment.

"I think itÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s good for the kids to interact with positive influences who are young adults," said Little, a biology major. "IÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™m glad we can be a positive influence. ItÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s good for them and for us."

The event was part of the University of New HavenÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s third annual Day of Caring. The UniversityÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s Office of Residential Life partnered with the , the , and West Haven Community House to host the event.

Nadine Walker ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™22, who also volunteered at the West Haven Community House, says everyone had a good time ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ especially the children.

"They were excited to see us ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ and to see some of us dressed as princesses," said Walker, a criminal justice major. "IÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™m glad the University gave us the opportunity to do this."

"ItÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s important to remember why we serve students, and itÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s important to do this by serving the community."Tyler Sansone ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™20

After a kickoff ceremony at the UniversityÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s main campus, which West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp attended, nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate students and professional staff members volunteered at three locations across the area.

Volunteers also worked in teams to sort and pack food at the Connecticut Food BankÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s Wallingford and Bridgeport locations.

"United Way is proud of our longstanding relationship with the University of New Haven and its passionate employees and students," said Maria Arnold, chief development officer of United Way of Greater New Haven. "Student-driven volunteer events like this remind us that our future is bright and in good hands."

The student and professional staff members returned to campus in August to prepare for the fall semester, and volunteering was a welcome opportunity to connect with the local community.

"ItÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s important to remember why we serve students, and itÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s important to do this by serving the community," said Tyler Sansone ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™20, a biology major. "ItÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s very humbling."