BY JENNA MCASSEY ‘19
Bison Give Back Day took place April 11 and was one of the proudest days to be a member of the Nichols College community. Students, faculty, and staff took time out of their day to give back to the community surrounding Nichols College.
“This is a day for us to show that we are proud to live in and be part of this community, and that we can, as a college, come together,” said sophomore Erica Sullivan, who helped run this event.
“I am so proud to be a part of a college community that comes together and supports our local community,” said Marissa Piedmonte, vice president of the sophomore class.
Many activities took place throughout that Tuesday afternoon. Food drives, yard work, clothing drives, and many other events were taking place, and students participated in these activities with the support of one another.
I had the opportunity to take part in two of these events. I held a clothing drive for children and teenagers who are less fortunate and in need of gently used or new clothes. We set up a station in the athletic center and filled two garbage bags of clothes donated by students, staff, and faculty. The clothes will be donated to Stand Up for Kids, which is a homeless shelter for children and teenagers, in Worcester, Mass.
I was also able to stop by the Management Club table, where they provided the opportunity to make cards for the children at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The table was set up outside of Lombard for anyone to stop by, make a card, and pick out one toy for a child. Hasbro Children’s Hospital is located in Providence, R.I., and cares for children who are sick. It is one of the top pediatric cancer centers in New England. Management Club members will deliver the toys and cards to the children.
Among the two events that I attended, many other community service options took place. Below is a list of locations that host service events.
- Heart to Heart – Emerging Leaders Program
- Pet Finder – Professor Nang
- Dudley- Webster Food Drive – Investments Club
- Letters to Veterans – History Club
- Put Ups – Meditation Club
- Autism Awareness – Bookstore
- Blessing Bags for Homeless – Hospitality Club
- Pay It Forward- Student Alumni Association
- Project Linus – Social Programming Board
- Bookmarks- Circulation Desk
- Hasbro Children Hospital – Management Club
- Alzheimer’s Awareness – Student Alumni Association Committee
- Clothing Drive – Warm Hearts Cold Bodies
Bison Give Back Day was a success. The students, faculty, and staff at Nichols College made a huge difference in the community around us and have shown a great example of what it means to be a Bison.