GOAL hosted Day of Service April 6 last year. Courtesy | Instagram

The Hillsdale College GOAL program will host its annual Day of Service this Saturday, April 5. Student volunteers will help local nonprofits and city organizations to complete projects, including yard work for community members, power washing exteriors of buildings, and firewood splitting.

“It’s such a great opportunity to be able to give back to the community in such a unique way,” senior Mark den Hollander, director of the GOAL program, said. “We are able to answer so many calls for help, answer their needs, and support them in their circumstances.”

Rachel Marinko ’20, director of student programs, said it will be as easy for students to be involved this year, as it has been in the past, but this time, they will get a free concert during lunch. Seniors Gavin Listro and Isaac Green will play music for students around noon.

Livia Dodd, coordinator of the GOAL program, said Day of Service is a tangible way for students to live out the tenets of their education.

“The purpose of Day of Service is to make a big impact on our community in a short time,” Dodd said. “GOAL stands for greater opportunities for assistance and leadership, and Day of Service gives students the greatest opportunity for assistance in the community and leadership among their team.”

Den Hollander said Day of Service is a good chance for Hillsdale students to step back and show thankfulness.

“We have been blessed with great learning opportunities here, and this should drive us to want to help others,” den Hollander said. “Education is not meant to bring us closer to ourselves. It should bring us closer to others, guiding us to live principled lives in which we find unique ways to use what we have learned for the benefit of society.”