Hillsdale’s GOAL program held its third Day of Service on April 9, where teams of student volunteers signed up to participate in service projects throughout Hillsdale County.
“The primary goal of the event is to encourage students to get out into the community and participate in service programs” GOAL Director Maya Kaniaupio said. “The second goal is a little more abstract — and that’s to help students form relationships outside of the college and strengthen the relationship between the college and the county.”
Students could sign-up with their dorm, sports team, Greek house, or off-campus group.
Volunteers met at 9:30 a.m. in the Grewcock Student Union, where they were provided with t‑shirts, donuts, and coffee before departing to their project. Service projects lasted three hours and pizza was served afterward.
Kaniaupio said this year’s event saw a dramatic rise in participation.
“Sign-ups have typically been in the low 200s, and this year we had more than 300 people sign up,” said Kaniaupio.
Some of the service projects included washing windows at Hillsdale Community Library, walking dogs at the Humane Society, completing yard work for the Community Action Agency Preschool, and painting the lobby at Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center
“The groundskeeper at the hospital was so happy to have this whole gaggle of guys come on down and help even though we obviously weren’t trained or anything. We were able to help make their jobs a little easier and it gave us something to do to give back to the community,” said freshman Colin Joyce, who volunteered with the Mu Alpha Fraternity.
Freshman Grace Umland said she looks forward to serving at Day of Service again.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to help the Hillsdale community and being able to spend time with friends and build those relationships is really valuable,” Umland said. “It was a really cool experience.”
The event was sponsored by Hillsdale County Community Foundation, Pizza Hut, Hillsdale College 1844 Society, and County National Bank.
