Fifth-year Concurrent Education student and Peer Facilitator Miria Pelletier and third-year Psychology student and Community Experience Assistant Aishah Sonekan will be taking part in Brock Cares Day of Service, which kicks off at Canada Games Park on Saturday, Sept. 10.Brock University students are eager to create positive change in the community they now call home.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, more than 100 Brock students, employees and alumni will volunteer with organizations across Niagara during the 14th annual Brock Cares Day of Service. The September tradition has not been held in person since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the University connecting with community partners virtually over the past two years.
Kristen Smith, Brock’s Manager, Community Experience and Leadership, says the day provides a way for new and returning students to give back to and explore the community.
“We know that many students want to learn more about the region they have moved to and to lend their time and talents to local causes,” she says. “Brock Cares Day of Service is a fantastic opportunity for both of those things to take place, while instilling the community connections and heart for service that make Brock and Niagara such a special place to be.”
Among the more than dozen volunteer opportunities available this year are planting and painting at Heartland Forest in Niagara Falls, preparing care packages with Future Black Female in St. Catharines, assisting at the Start Me Up Niagara farm program in Vineland and providing event assistance at the Knights of Columbus Harvest Fest in Thorold.
Deeply rooted in Niagara, Brock has a long history of community involvement, which it continues to make a priority, Smith says.
“As a university founded thanks to the community outreach and courageous work of the Allanburg Women’s Institute and so many other local partners, giving back is at the core of the Brock experience,” she says. “We are so thankful to our community partners for hosting volunteers and providing an opportunity for Brock students to learn about the needs of our community and the work that is taking place within it.”
The University will continue to encourage connections between students and community organizations with the Brock Cares: Volunteer Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Held in Market Hall on Brock’s main campus, the event invites local organizations to meet with students and highlight opportunities to get involved.
Brock Cares Day of Service check-in and kickoff will take place at 11 a.m. at the Canada Games Park North Entrance, located at the south end of Brock’s main campus. Once registered, volunteers will be provided with lunch and a Brock Cares T-shirt before heading off to the organization they are partnering with. Transportation to and from each location is provided to all volunteers.
Participants are encouraged to register in advance, as specific event opportunities may begin and end at different times.
For a full list of volunteer opportunities and to register, visit the event’s sign-up page.
