What happens when Terriers around the globe unite to to give back to their local communities? “One very big impact,” says BU Global Days of Service.
A partnership between the Alumni Association and the Community Service Center, BU Global Days of Service is a community service event for the month of April that has, in the past three years, had over 9,000 volunteers make a difference in their neighborhoods. On Saturday April 13, BUGDS will hold its flagship day of service, dispersing undergraduates and other Terriers to over 35 volunteer sites in the Greater Boston area.
“This one Saturday is a really nice way to bring the community together…and feel like you’re a number,” said CSC Events Program Manager Alison Weltman (COM ’13).
Over 640 undergraduates are currently registered to participate at the Boston-area sites. The volunteer sites cover a variety of issue areas including animal services and rescue, community, education, environmental, health, human rights, and spiritual/religious. From environmental clean-up at Jamaica Plain’s Nira Rock to mentoring at Strong Women Strong Girls to caring for animals at the Gifford Cat Shelter in Brighton, BU Global Days of Service provides a multitude of service opportunities for anyone to make an impact.
“It gives me the opportunity to volunteer at sites that I wouldn’t usually get to volunteer at during the semester,” said Chloe Walker (CAS ’15). “It’s a minor commitment but it still makes a difference.”
Hundreds more alumni will be participating at the dozens of other sites located in cities throughout the United States and around the globe. Participating 2013 international sites include Australia, Canada, England, France, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Pakistan, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, and Thailand.
Last year, over 4,000 Global Day of Service volunteers in 15 countries performed 25,897 hours of service. This year, the event expanded beyond a single Day to Days, and its projections of 2013’s impact looks to be even grander. With plenty of schedule-friendly, no-cost volunteer opportunities available throughout the rest of April, will you join them in making a difference?
To register for BU Global Days of Service, visit their website or call the Community Service Center at 617-353-4710. If you’d rather donate your money than your time, payments in honor of Global Days of Service are being accepted.
