Service Saturdays
One person can make a difference; a group of people can make an even bigger difference!
SERVICE Saturdays are social, enriching, rewarding, valuable, inspiring, community-oriented and effective. They are a way to make a difference in our local community while engaging with our Dayton neighbors and with other UD students and reflecting on the positive difference you are making in the world. There is something for everyone to get involved – the activities range from preparing and serving lunches at area shelters to building a house, from cleaning up a local park to sorting clothes at various clothing centers. Transportation is provided. Sign up yourself or a group.
For questions, contact Katie Penny in Campus Ministry’s Center for Social Concern at 937-229-2524.
Spring semester dates and projects
Most projects leave campus at 8:30am and return at 1:00pm, but times will vary. Be sure to check for exact times when you sign up.
January 26 - Nassau St./Mission of Mary Urban Farm--Urban farming with a community of UD grads.
February 9 - First Baptist Church--Packing lunches for those in need.
March 16 - United Rehabilitation Services--Project TBD.
April 13 - Garden Station--Urban gardening with Dayton community members.
April 20 - Adopt-a-Park--MetroPark clean-up with the Dayton community.
Sign up
To sign up please come to Liberty Hall Room 107. You can sign up just yourself or a group. If you choose to sign up a group please make sure you turn in the names of the members of your group at least one week before the project.
Note: Registration includes completing a volunteer contract. To fill this out in advance, click here to download. Please bring with you to register.
Before you go
Meeting location: If not otherwise stated, meet outside Liberty Hall.
Time: Please check your email messages on Friday afternoon to make sure time has not changed.
Transportation: Van rides provided unless on campus or within walking distance of campus.
Leader: You will have a trained student leader with your group. This person will be your driver and will lead orientation and reflection. This person will contact you several days before the project about other details.
Weather: Some projects are outdoors. In the case of bad weather, we will contact you ASAP (email if on Friday, cell phone if on Saturday) to let you know about changes. In some cases we will find an alternative project; in other cases we will have to cancel.
Who to contact if problems or questions arise: You can contact the Center for Social Concern at 937-229-2524 up until 4pm on Friday. After that, please contact your student leader (you will receive this information before the project date).
NO Cancellations within 24 hours!!! Unless ill, please do not cancel within 24 hours of your project time. Our community agencies are counting on us and the number of volunteers we agreed to send them!
Waiting List: Each project site can only take so many students. If you sign up and there are no more slots available, you will be placed on a waiting list in case other students have to cancel.
What to wear/bring: Most sites require long pants, closed toed shoes, and suggest bringing water. There may be other requirements—please check online and your email messages before you arrive!
Other information: Before the project there will be a short orientation and training. After the project there will be a reflection led by your student leader. The times for these have already been incorporated into the times listed for each project!