Incoming Seawolves Kick Off the School Year With Community Service Projects

About 380 first-year and transfer students braved a windy, rainy morning to not only engage with but also enhance their surrounding community for Stony Brook University's sixth annual Community Service Day.

Organized by the Career Center in conjunction with the Center for Service Learning and Community Service, the August 21 event gave students a chance to connect with one another while making a meaningful difference in their new university community.

"Rain does not stop us. I really want to applaud you because you showed up early on a Friday morning to serve others. That's part of your integrity, and that's part of who you are as people," said Marianna Savoca, associate vice president for career readiness and experiential education, in her opening remarks.

Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith welcomed the Class of 2030 by emphasizing community support and the university's broader mission.

"By choosing to give back today, you are contributing to one of the most important aspects of Stony Brook University's mission - to serve not just our local community, but also our region, Long Island, the great state of New York, our country, and the world," she said. "The best scholars don't just focus on their field of study; what will serve you best professionally and personally is to be curious about the world around you and inspired to make a positive difference in that world."

She encouraged students to see service and engagement as central to their college experience, not just an add-on.

"By engaging in these broader activities beyond just your own classes and your own major, you will find you will enrich your experience here at Stony Brook and provide the foundation for your professional as well as personal success," Goldsmith said, inviting students to always visit her during open office hours or stop her on campus to share their experiences.

Following Goldsmith's remarks, Rick Gatteau, vice president for student affairs, framed Community Service Day as a starting point for continued involvement.

"We know that service is an important part of our human experience, and it is an important part of our mission here at Stony Brook that we care for others," Gatteau said. "One of the commitments I really hope you make is to do something on campus, get involved in a club or organization, and help make your experience that much better."

Across Stony Brook's three campuses - West, East and Southampton- and much of the surrounding area, students took part in 16 service projects designed to strengthen volunteerism and community stewardship.

The projects were diverse, giving participants the opportunity to choose and engage in a cause meaningful to them:

• Powering Up the Seawolves Pantry: Students worked with the Seawolves Pantry to sort and inventory donated food supporting community members experiencing food insecurity.
• Serving America's Heroes - Chalk Art: Students worked with the Long Island State Veterans Home to create chalk art honoring and thanking local veterans.
• Serving America's Heroes - Adult Day Program: Students joined the Long Island State Veterans Home's adult day program to socialize with veterans and participate in games.
• Serving America's Heroes - House Recreation Program: Students worked with the Veterans Home recreation program to play games and participate in activities with veterans.
• Brighten the Brook Southampton: Students supported The FoodLab by gardening, planting and maintaining the Southampton campus's horticulture projects.
• Brighten the Brook East Campus: Students supported the Stony Brook Heights Rooftop Micro-Farm by painting signs labeling plant beds used to grow produce.
• Brighten the Brook West Campus: Students helped beautify West Campus by planting trees, bushes and flowers and maintaining campus green spaces.
• Heart and Hooves - Support the Warrior Ranch Foundation: Students worked with the Warrior Ranch Foundation to paint, landscape and maintain a ranch supporting veterans and first responders.
• Saving the Shoreline - Beach Clean-up with AMSEAS: Students worked with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society to clean beaches and protect Long Island's marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems.
• Build and Home, Build a Future - Habitat for Humanity: Students worked with Habitat for Humanity of Long Island on hands-on construction projects building safe, affordable homes.
• Farm for the Future with Island Harvest: Students worked with Island Harvest to harvest fresh produce at Healthy Harvest Farm for Long Islanders facing food insecurity.
• Snack Kits for Support with Long Island Coalition for the Homeless: Students worked with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless to assemble snack kits for people experiencing homelessness.
• Deliver Cheer to Children with Little Saint Nick Foundation: Students worked with the Little Saint Nick Foundation to assemble gift bags for children receiving care at local hospitals.
• Cultivating Community with the SBU Community Garden: Students worked with the SBU Community Garden to weed, harvest, pot and maintain plants whose produce supports the Seawolves Food Pantry.
• Waves of Change Beach Clean-Up with ASBO: Students worked with Alternative Spring Break Outreach to clean West Meadow Beach and learn about Long Island's coastal environment.
• Crafts for the Kids with Wolfiethon: Students worked with Wolfiethon to create keychains and painted canvases for children and families affected by childhood cancer.

The Class of 2030 began their Stony Brook journey by making a difference on campus and beyond.

- Lily Miller