Brock is searching for community partners in need of volunteers for the University’s largest day of service.

Saturday, Sept. 8 will mark the 10th annual Brock Cares Day of Service — a one-day event where Brock students, faculty and staff donate their time to local community organizations.

Last year’s day of service included 20 projects with 156 volunteers. Organizations included the Lincoln County Humane Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YWCA and Linhaven long-term care home, with projects ranging from garden cleanup and reorganizing a thrift store to volunteering with a seniors recreation program.

A group of students stuff thank-you gifts for a local fundraising run as part of Brock Cares Day of Service 2017.

Organizers from Brock University Students’ Union and Student Life and Community Experience are hoping the 10th anniversary will mark the biggest day of service yet.

“Close to 1,100 volunteer hours were donated through last year’s Brock Cares,” said Megan Brown, Community Engagement Co-ordinator with Student Life and Community Experience. “If the organizations paid employees minimum wage to do the same work, it’d cost them more than $15,000. It’s incredible to think that we saved the Niagara community this much money in one day.”

This year’s goal is to involve 300 volunteers or contribute more than 2,000 hours. It’s ambitious, but with the help of the Brock community, Brown thinks it’s achievable.

“If we want to double what we accomplished last year, we need to find more community partners eager to welcome our volunteers,” said Brown. “There may be members of the Brock community who have existing relationships with not-for-profits, charities, service groups and other community service organizations that we’re unaware of.”

Staff, faculty and students are encouraged to reach out to community service organizations in the Niagara region and inquire if they could benefit from the help of a group of volunteers on Sept. 8. It could be as little as a couple of hours or a half-day to a full day of volunteering from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Interested community partners are asked fill out an online form by Tuesday, July 31. Sites will be confirmed by the second week of August. Suggestions will also be accepted by emailing community@brocku.ca

For those interested in volunteering, registration will open within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, faculty and staff are encouraged to connect with their colleagues and gather a team. Volunteers will be provided with food, snacks, a T-shirt and transportation to the community partner sites.

“Volunteering in the local community is a great way to kick off the opening of term,” said Brown. “It’s an opportunity to connect with colleagues outside of the office while also making a lasting impact in our community.”