Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

Community Service Day is Saturday, August 21, and will feature more than 600 volunteers from Stony Brook University taking part in a variety of service projects that are important to both the campus and the community.

Co-chairs Joan Dickinson, director of University Community Relations, and Jeff Barnett, assistant dean of students, described the undertaking as “the most ambitious single-day service program ever attempted by Stony Brook.”

Managed by SBU staff members, hundreds of students will help power projects that take place on campus, indoors and outside, along with off-campus outdoor events. Incoming freshmen will be able to choose their service project on SB Engaged in early August.

The day begins at 11 am on the Staller Steps with all students being checked in and receiving a free sandwich, courtesy of Jersey Mike’s, T-shirts, water and backpacks. After a few speakers, the students will be ushered to their assignments.

The day will end with an ice cream social at the Student Union parking lot where other activities will be in motion for opening week. WUSB-FM will have a tent and music for the kick-off and return, managed by Isobel Breheny-Schafer, WUSB general manager.

The list of proposed projects includes:

ON CAMPUS

Backpack Supplies Packout: More than 100 students will be packing out 1,300 backpacks with various school supplies for K-12 children from 22 schools across Long Island. The project is being held with community partners Island Harvest and Supplies for Success, and is being managed by Urszula Zalewski from the Career Center.

Notes of Hope: Roughly 250 students will be writing notes of hope and inspiration for homebound Brookhaven residents. Each student will create three different messages: one of hope and two seasonal wishes for later use at Thanksgiving and holidays. The project is being held with community partners Meals on Wheels, the Town of Brookhaven and the Long Island State Veterans Home, and is managed by Pam Pfeil of Veterans Affairs.

Story Writing: Up to 10 students will create content about their studies and experiences here at Stony Brook for a monthly newsletter. The project is being held with Meals on Wheels and the Town of Brookhaven and is being managed by Cathrine Duffy from HealthierU.

Campus Beautification: Approximately 50 students will plant hellebores and astible at the 9/11 Memorial Arch location, and heuchera and pansies on the walkway between the SAC and Frey Hall. The project is being managed by Nicole Chiuchiolo from Commuter Student Services in concert with facilities staff.

OFF CAMPUS

Route 25A Clean Up: Up to 100 students will make their way down the road starting at the LIRR station and ending at Mario’s in Setauket to pick up litter and debris. Several restaurants have agreed to offer the students a restroom break where needed and coupons for future use. The project is being coordinated with Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn’s office for trash bag pickup and is being managed by Jeff Barnett.

Patriot’s Rock Clean Up: A small team of six to eight students will be on hand to remove branches, litter and pull up invasive species of plants where appropriate at this local community treasure. The project is being held with the Three Village Community Land Trust and will be managed by an orientation leader or other designee.

Field Day Fun: Fifteen students will venture to Patchogue to help run a field day for children with Down Syndrome. The project is being held with community partner Gigi’s Playhouse and will be managed by an orientation leader or other designee.