Last year, members and friends of the Charlotte Chapter participated in the Habitat for Humanity program.

The National Day of Service unites Boston College alumni across the country in the spirit of "men and women for others." The Jesuit commitment to service helps define the BC experience, and the annual event gives alumni a chance to reconnect with fellow BC graduates while making a difference in their communities.

Last year, more than 200 Boston College alumni—representing 30 local alumni chapters from Maine to Hawaii—took part in the University's seventh annual National Day of Service on April 14, pitching in their time and talents to revitalize parks, assist the homeless and improve the lives of children in their home areas.   Alumni good works ranged from a home building project with Charlotte's Habitat for Humanity group to cooking and serving food at the Women and Children's Shelter at the Catholic Center in Cleveland. In Honolulu, BC graduates helped clean up Hawaii's Sandy Beach Park, and, closer to home, another team of alumni joined crews from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation to clean up parks and beaches across the state. 

To see pictures from previous years, please click here!

The 8th Annual National Day of Service will take place on April 13, 2013 and we hope you will join us.  Please look below for your local chapter's service project.  If you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Association.

 

 

Upcoming National Day of Service Chapter Projects

Atlanta
Discovery Program at Park Lane Elementary School
Saturday, April 13, 9:45 a.m. - noon
2809 Blount St
East Point, GA
http://handsondiscovery.handsonatlanta.org/

Park Lane Elementary Discovery is a Saturday morning tutoring program that offers one-on-one and small group enrichment activities for at-risk children. Volunteers lead activities and help with reading and math skills for students in kindergarten through 5th grades.  RSVP to Katelyn.Carey@gmail.com.

Boston
Boston College's 150th Anniversary Helping Hands Service Project
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m.
Boston College - Conte Forum

Work together with BC alumni, parents, families, and friends in a service project to fight hunger. Boston will be packing meals to be sent to hungry families in West Africa.  Please click here to register!

 

Charlotte
JDRF Charlotte 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes
Saturday, April 27, 7 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. walk
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd
Charlotte, NC

One of the major fundraising and awareness-raising events that the local JDRF Chapter organizes is the Charlotte 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes.  We invite you to join your fellow alumni in participating in the walk (5K, all ages welcome).  You can sign up to be a BC team member at this page.  Questions?  Please contact clteagles@gmail.com.

 

Chicago
Catholic Charities, Madonna House Interim Family Housing
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
1114 W. Grace St
Chicago, IL

Catholic Charities is very excited to have BC back at Madonna House this year! We'll once again be doing yard work (raking, cleaning outdoor furniture and playground equipment) as well as some inside Spring cleaning. Volunteers should dress in layers (and BC gear!) as we may be outside for the day. The house will have supplies for us to use, but you should also bring a pair of work gloves if you have them available. Please RSVP to Kaitlyn Murphy '05 at kaitlyn.murphy@gmail.com.

Cleveland
West Side Catholic Center's Women & Children's Shelter (Moriah House)
Saturday, April 13, 8 a.m.
West Side Catholic Center
3135 Lorain Ave
Cleveland, OH
http://www.wsccenter.org

Join us in preparing and serving breakfast for the women and children at the shelter. Can't attend? Consider donating to the cost of the breakfast we will be purchasing to serve.  RSVP to Melissa and Brian Carney '07 at mrandmrscarney@gmail.com or 216-287-5714.

Dallas
Catholic Charities World of Goods Store
Saturday, April 13, 9:45 a.m.
10675 E. Northwest Hwy, Suite 240
Dallas, TX

We will be working with the Catholic Charities of Dallas' World of Goods Store. This program works to help resettle refugee families through full apartment setups, providing them with a home in Dallas!  For more information and to RSVP, contact Joseph Cancelliere '06 at jcancelliere@gmail.com.

 

Fairfield County
Community Gardens Spring Cleanup
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Burroughs Community Center
2470 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605

We will be working to beautify our local community as part of the BC National Day of Service. The Burroughs Community Center in Bridgeport needs our help to clean up the community gardens in time for spring planting. Volunteers should plan to bring their own gardening gloves and to wear clothes that they don't mind getting dirty (don't forget to wear your maroon and gold!). The community center does have shovels and wheelbarrows, but volunteers are encouraged to bring extra shovels and gardening rakes if possible.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Steve Earner '08 at stephen.earner@ldcom.com.

Hartford
Habitat for Humanity
Saturday, March 23, 8 a.m.
Location will be given out that week to those that RSVP

BC Greater Hartford will celebrate National Day of Service with volunteering together at a local Hartford Habitat for Humanity build site. Spots are limited so please RSVP to bcalumnihartford@gmail.com.

Hawaii
Sandy Beach Park Cleanup
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. - noon
8801 Kalanianaole Hwy
Honolulu, HI

We’ll meet at the parking lot just past the showers on the left side if you enter the park by the lifeguard stand.  Trash bags & plastic gloves will be provided.  Just show up, wear comfortable beach attire, and remember to bring sunblock!  RSVP to Matthew McConnell '98 at matthew.c.mcconnell@ampf.com.

Kansas City
Hope House
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. - noon
Independence, Missouri
www.hopehouse.net

Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing as we will be put to work!  We will be helping out with any projects that the shelter needs assistance with.  Last year included landscaping, light electrical work, and laying ceramic tile.  All tools will be provided.  RSVP to alexwhite73@yahoo.com.  Directions will be given closer to the date, due to privacy regulations.

 

Los Angeles
Saturday, April 13, 8:30 a.m. - noon
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
2825 E. 54th St
Vernon, CA

We will volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank assembling food packages for over 23,000 low income seniors, women with infants, and children in Los Angeles County. The food packages consist of food items like canned fruit, canned vegetables, rice, cereal and other non-perishable food items.  Parking is available at the site but carpooling is HIGHLY recommended as there are VERY limited parking spaces.  To register, please click here and enter the password: eagles413 - note that all letters are lowercase, no spaces.

Questions?  Please contact Justin McCarthy '87 at jmccarthydm@aol.com.

 

Maine
Boston College's 150th Anniversary Helping Hands Service Project
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m.
Boston College - Conte Forum

Work together with BC alumni, parents, families, and friends in a service project to fight hunger. Boston will be packing meals to be sent to hungry families in West Africa.  Please click here to register!

Miami
Camillus House meal service
Saturday, April 13, 4 - 6 p.m.
1603 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL

Dress code is long pants and a shirt (no tank tops, exposed shoulders, exposed midriffs); rubber soled shoes (such as sneakers—no sandals or flip flops). Hats or hair nets must be worn in the kitchen at all times. Hair nets and aprons will be provided for you at the shelter.  Parking is free of charge in our parking garage. The dining hall is on the first floor of the same building, to the left of the elevators.  RSVP to Elizabeth Dombovary '01 at edombovary@gsarlaw.com.

 

Minnesota
The Basilica of St Mary
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
88th N. 17th Street
Minneapolis, MN
www.mary.org

The Basilica of St. Mary is the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  We will clean up areas, paint, sand, and do general maintenance of pews and confessionals; along with other projects.  Snacks and bottled water, as well as box lunches will be provided for all volunteers.  Family and friends are welcome, and we hope to have a guided tour of the Basilica during the day.  RSVP to Alex Stuart '07.

 

New Jersey
Community FoodBank of NJ Warehouse
Saturday, April 13, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
31 Evans Terminal
Hillside, NJ

We will be assisting the Community FoodBank of NJ.  With volunteer groups they usually have people sort donations and prep food for distribution.  This FoodBank has been very busy since Hurricane Sandy.  RSVP to Brian Klug '04.

New Jersey Shore
Union Beach Cleanup
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m.
Borough Hall of Union Beach
650 Poole Ave
Union Beach, NJ

Union Beach is an area of the Jersey Shore that suffered major devestation from Hurricane Sandy.  The storm surge from Sandy left 1,600 of the town's 2,100 homes damaged or destroyed.  On April 13, BC alumni of the Jersey Shore Chapter will gather to help out the residents of Union Beach by assisting with outside beautifications and helping homeowners with improvements in their homes.  

For more information and to volunteer, please contact Corinne Thygeson '89 at thygeson@comcast.net.

 

New York City
Covenant House
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
460 West 41st St
New York, NY

We will be helping out with service projects such as sorting donations, painting, and upkepp projects.  We will also be spending time with the children at Covenant House, participating in an afternoon of games in their gym.  Space for this project is limited, so please RSVP at your earlierst convenience to the New York City Chapter at bcnycalumni@gmail.com.

Northeastern NY
Equinox, Inc.
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m.
260 Washington Ave
Albany, NY

We will be helping Equinox organize their Great Finds shop to ready it for reopening, and other tasks as time allows. RSVP to Michelle Mahon '03 at michellemmahon@yahoo.com.

Orange County
Mary's Kitchen
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
517 W Struck Ave
Orange, CA
http://maryskitchen.org/index.htm

Mary’s Kitchen is an all-volunteer organization that provides food and services to the homeless of Orange County. They provide breakfast in the morning, a hot meal at 1 p.m. and a sack meal which is distributed in the afternoon.  Types of activities that we’ll be doing may include:  food prep, food serving, clean-up, and clothes sorting. Please wear closed-toed shoes.  RSVP to svranich@cox.net  or 949-278-2728.

Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Chapter
Loggerhead Marinelife Center's 10th Annual TurtleFest
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
14200 U.S. Highway One
Juno Beach, FL

Join us for a day of fun while we support ocean conservation at Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s 10th Annual TurtleFest! Please fill out the volunteer application (indicating that you will be with the Boston College Alumni Association) here AND send your name to Shawna Gallagher Vega at bcpalmbeachchapter@gmail.com. All volunteers will receive a T-shirt. Please note that BC-affiliated volunteers do not need to attend the volunteer training on April 8, although it is recommended.

Philadelphia
Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia
Saturday, April 13, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Habitat Philadelphia is dedicated to building homes, families and hope and this is a great opportunity to participate in new Weatherization and Home Repair Program. Space is limited - please contact Greg Hagin '01 at ghagin@ccsfundraising.com for more information.

Portland
St. Andrew's Nativity School
Saturday, April 13, 8:30 a.m.
4925 NE 9th Street
Portland, OR

BC alumni will be performing a variety of projects to help improve the school and grounds. RSVP to Stephen Grieco '99 at griecostephen@yahoo.com.

Rhode Island
Thompson Middle School
Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
55 Broadway Street
Newport, RI

Please join us as we help Thompson Middle School and Principal Jaime Crowley '95 prep their community garden beds and touch up the entrance of the school!  Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty.  No experience necessary, and if you don't want to get dirty, we still need volunteers to help at a registration table, get snacks donated and other fun tasks!  We will provide gloves, tools and snacks. RSVP to Nikki Vazquez @ nikkivazquez@gmail.com.

Seattle
Green Seattle Partnership
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (followed by a potluck)
6961 37th Ave S
Seattle, WA

For all the details on this project and to register, please click here!  Questions?  Please contact Katie Cava '08 at katie.cava@gmail.com.

South Carolina
Keep Charleston Beautiful - Waterfront marsh clean-up
Saturday, April 13, 4 - 6 p.m.
Meet at intersection of Concord & Exchange Streets in Charleston, SC

Come join BC alumni in a day of cleaning up a beautiful marsh in Charleston, SC!  Please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes that you won't mind getting dirty. No flip-flops. The water will not go further than your ankles and all supplies including gloves and bags will be provided.  RSVP to Christina Koutsourades '12 at c.koutsourades@gmail.com or 845-671-0191.

Southwest Florida
St. Matthews House & Thrift Store
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

We will be helping out with food prep and serving lunch, or with the thrift store.  Please contact Diane Van Parys '80 at bcswfloridaalumni@gmail.com or 239-431-5224 to RSVP with your preference and she will let you know the address.

Triangle Chapter (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill)
Book Harvest
Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m.
305 Westbury Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC

Book Harvest is a nonprofit organization which partners with caring citizens and community groups to collect new and gently used children's books to place in the hands and homes of children who need them.  We are asking alumni to collect books from family, friends and coworkers for 10 days before the sorting event. The website www.bookharvestnc.org has information about the charity and how to help run a book drive, including signs you can print out and utilize. 

Questions?  Please contact Tracey Himmel '91 at tracey_himmel@hotmail.com.

 

Washington D.C.
Cookout for Wounded Warriors
Wednesday, April 24, 4 - 8 p.m.
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (the new consolidated location)
8901 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD

We will host a cook-out for wounded service members and their families at the Walter Reed National Medical Center. The cook-out is our small way of conveying appreciation for their service and sacrifice.   Please click here to register by April 21. 

Please bring a valid ID to gain access to the Medical Campus.  Casual attire.  Parking at various locations.  Questions can be directed to Brian Cummins '82.

Westchester County
Habitat for Humanity
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. - noon or 1 - 3 p.m.
Location and more details will be sent to those that RSVP.  Questions can be directed to bcwestchesteralumni@gmail.com.

Western MA
Boston College's 150th Anniversary Helping Hands Service Project
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m.
Boston College - Conte Forum

Work together with BC alumni, parents, families, and friends in a service project to fight hunger. Boston will be packing meals to be sent to hungry families in West Africa.  Please click here to register!