DANBURY, CONN. — Between going to class, studying and working, students at Western Connecticut State University are busy. That doesn’t, however, stop them from giving back to the community by committing to tens of thousands of volunteer hours every year.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, from 9 to 11 a.m., in an effort to highlight the impact that these students make throughout the community, the university will hold “Western Day of Service.” Two hundred students, faculty and staff will canvas the city to help out a variety of charitable organizations and agencies. The goal of the event is to help the community, to recognize WCSU students and their commitment to community, and to create an awareness of the opportunity and the value of volunteerism as part of a college education.

“We know there’s a lot of community service going on that involves our students,” said WCSU Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Walter Cramer.

Among the places the WCSU volunteers will serve are Ann’s Place, The Danbury Railway Museum, the Danbury Fire Department, Tarrywile Park and Ellsworth Avenue Elementary School. Those helping the Danbury Music Center will be assisting with auditions for its annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” Those helping at the Danbury Public Library will be tagging books, while others will be helping to serve breakfast to those in need at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House.

“Students are looking at community service as something they expect their university to support,” Cramer said. “I see this event as a win-win – we can promote what’s already happening and attract students who are interested in becoming part of community service.”

In a continuing effort to promote community service at the university, Cramer said he is in the process of making it easier for students to get involved by creating a website for community agencies to post opportunities. Cramer also said that many of the university’s sports teams already dedicate time to helping in the community.

To date, “Western Day of Service” has received a commitment of support from many groups and athletic teams from the university, including the women’s basketball team, the men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse teams, the WCSU Education Club, the Latin American Student Organization, the men’s baseball team, the women’s softball team, the women’s swimming and diving team, Honors Program, Office of Housing & Residence Life, Accounting Society, Greek Council, Cheerleading Team and Student Affairs.

“When the work is done for the day,” Cramer said, “we’ll bring everyone back to campus to celebrate all the good work that was done that day around Danbury. We hope that many of the volunteers will go to the football game that day to support the football team and to be recognized at halftime.”

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.