Blue Jays gathered in Thompson Gym to assemble care kits for local humanitarian organizations.
Elizabethtown College hosted its annual Spring Day of Service on Friday, March 28, partnering with four local humanitarian organizations to address areas of need in the community. Nearly 300 Blue Jay students, faculty, staff, and alumni gave back to the community by packing more than 1,500 care kits that will be distributed by Bethesda Mission, Elizabethtown Community Housing Outreach Services (ECHOS), Water Street Mission, and Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance.
“The Spring Day of Service is one of my favorite times of year,” Elizabethtown College Interim Vice President for Engagement, Mission and Impact Javita Thompson said. “It beautifully reflects our College’s Educate for Service motto, as students, staff, and faculty unite to support our surrounding communities in meaningful ways. This collective effort not only strengthens our bonds with each other but also reinforces our commitment to serving the greater good.”
Four, one-hour and 15-minute sessions were held for Blue Jays to work together to assemble care kits, each of which will be distributed to members of the community in need.
The event was organized by Elizabethtown College Center for Community and Civic Engagement in partnership with additional campus offices such as the Center for Global Understanding and Peacebuilding, the School of Public Service, Student Assembly, and the Social Work Department.
“The Spring Day of Service is important to me because it allows me to step beyond the classroom and make a real difference in the community,” Criminal Justice major and Human Services minor Alexis Cooper ’25 said. “It reminds me why I enjoy being a part of a civic-minded College because I want my education to be about more than personal success. Giving back makes me feel connected, grounded, and a part of something bigger.”
The annual Day of Service exemplifies the College’s Educate for Service motto, guiding each of its students to take intentional action to make positive impacts on the lives of others. A campus-wide commitment to service is found through academic research, service trips around the world, and local, community-based projects.
