MONT ALTO, Pa. — “The Day of Service brings many faculty, staff and students together to give back to the campus and community through their efforts," said Bradley Kendall, campus facility manager at Penn State Mont Alto. "The campus Office of Physical Plant (OPP) plans projects that help enhance our campus landscape, and our volunteers delivered by providing extra labor to tackle clean-up after the elements of winter left their toll. OPP has a large responsibility to take care of many acres of campus grounds, and the one Day of Service goes a long way to help us prepare the campus grounds for the busy spring activity season. I am proud of the many volunteers that came together to make the event a reality."
Outside, volunteers spread more than 30 yards of mulch, refreshed flower beds, and revitalized the Pollinator and 9/11 Memorial Garden. Their work resulted in 28 bags of organic debris collected for composting. Local companies like Bartlett Tree Experts and Cumberland Valley Tree Service played a critical role, removing six hazardous or invasive trees and hauling away two large loads of wood chips. Their combined gift-in-kind was valued at over $10,000.
“Our service vendors provided expert tree work and training opportunities for our students, and we are grateful to have partnerships that want to give back to the campus we love,” Kendall said. “Their professional support in the Arboretum with our inventory of 1,000 trees is very much appreciated!”
Inside, volunteers worked to make an impact on the surrounding community. Service projects included assembling 100 hygiene kits for area homeless shelters, crafting 69 dog tug toys for local animal shelters, filling 124 Easter baskets for Franklin County foster children (supported by a $500 donation from the Keystone Family Alliance), and writing 141 thank-you cards for veterans.
The success of the Day of Service was made possible by the generosity and collaboration of many local partners, including Bartlett Tree Experts, Brio Coffee, Cumberland Valley Tree Service, Hagerstown Ice and Sports Complex, Lowe’s Waynesboro, Mateo’s, Sapporo, Taqueria La Cienega, TranquiliTEA, Walmart Waynesboro, The Waynesburger, and several Penn State Mont Alto departments and initiatives.
Students participating in Penn State Mont Alto's Day of Service work together in a garden.
