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Ever since she was in high school, Catherine Tomczyk 杏吧原版�24 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 University杏吧原版檚 5th annual Day of Service. They took part in three separate and impactful projects at sites in local cities and towns.

杏吧原版淚 like giving back to organizations that need our help,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淚t can be challenging for them to get people to help because of demands on their time, but it杏吧原版檚 so important.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版榊our volunteer efforts are truly benefitting your community杏吧原版�

Tomczyk spent part of the day volunteering at the Soundview YMCA Play Area Building in Branford, Conn. It was an opportunity she杏吧原版檇 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. That杏吧原版檚 where Jeremy Wilson 杏吧原版�24 volunteered.

杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 a big fan of community service, and I get joy from doing it,杏吧原版� said Wilson, a biochemistry major. 杏吧原版淚 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.杏吧原版�

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.

杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 excited to see so many students here,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淚t is so important to give back to those in need. Your volunteer efforts are truly benefitting your community.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版榊our actions create a ripple of change杏吧原版�

Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., the University杏吧原版檚 interim president, is a 杏吧原版減roud resident杏吧原版� of West Haven. He was impressed by the students杏吧原版� dedication. He says Chargers continue to make a meaningful impact on the West Haven community 杏吧原版� and beyond.

杏吧原版淚 see you all in the local stores, beaches, and around the community, and you make important contributions,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淣ow you杏吧原版檙e here giving back, and I杏吧原版檓 excited to see you all here.杏吧原版�

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.

杏吧原版淭his event is an extension between the remarkable partnership between the University and the United Way,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淭ogether, 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.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楶art of a bigger community杏吧原版�

For JJ Dionisio 杏吧原版�25, the event was something he杏吧原版檇 been looking forward to. He took part in last year杏吧原版檚 Day of Service, and it was an experience that he says was very special. He couldn杏吧原版檛 wait to be a part of it again.

杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 our job as student leaders to take the lead in giving back in the community,杏吧原版� said Dionisio, a resident assistant in Gerber Hall. 杏吧原版淚t all starts with us. I hope today lights a fire in us that we just can杏吧原版檛 put out. There are so many places near us that need our help, that will let us feed that fire.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版淲e want to give back not just because it杏吧原版檚 the morally right thing to do,杏吧原版� added Julia Walas 杏吧原版�25 M.S., a candidate in the University杏吧原版檚 graduate program in speech-language pathology. 杏吧原版淚t also makes us stronger.杏吧原版�

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.

杏吧原版淲e always focus on building our campus community, but we are also a part of a bigger community,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 great to connect with that community.杏吧原版�