Today’s young adults, both nationally and locally, have displayed an ongoing commitment to serving the community that has invested in them. This is a trend that is cause for both celebration and optimism. Washington College students are no exception and they demonstrate this on a regular basis. As members of the Washington College community, we realized that a summary of their collective efforts was long overdue. Included below is our admittedly unscientific attempt to collect the data on Washington College students’ programs, projects, and volunteer commitments in both Chestertown and in the greater Kent and Queen Anne’s community. Sometimes their service is formal and systematic. Other times, it may be informal and occasional. In either case, the outcome is the same: our students are making a difference.
When we began collecting this data, we quickly found over 5,000 hours of student volunteer efforts each year, with several flagship programs. Relay for Life is clearly the largest and most successful campus program, involving over 723 participants and raising over $50,000 each year. Special Olympics and Character Counts are the major partnerships for the athletic department, with annual programs including the State Bocce Ball Tournament, adult swimmers preparing for competition, and the Kayak Tournament. Character Counts Coaching is also a significant project for student-athletes and coaches. The College also has a number of clubs dedicated wholly or largely to community service. One of the most well-established of these is our Habitat for Humanity chapter. They annually sponsor spring and fall trips dedicated to building for those in need. Animal Impact, another student group, has a strong partnership with the Humane Society.
Washington College students, clubs, and teams have also assisted with events such as the Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, the Chestertown Half Marathon, local parades, youth clinics, road and woodland clean-ups, and have helped causes such as breast cancer awareness, autism awareness, and multiple sclerosis research. Organizations such as Heron Point, Radcliffe Creek School, the Kent County Food Pantry, Chester River Hospital, the Salvation Army, Toys-for-Tots, and local fire departments have all benefitted from the community involvement of our students.
When we began pulling all of this information together, we already knew our students were active in the community, but even we were surprised by both the extent and impact of that involvement. Perhaps the most important thing we learned, however, is that they are eager to do more. If you know of a community issue or need our students could help address, please contact the Student Government Association at [email protected] and allow our students to continue to serve the community they have made their home.
Jeff Sullivan, SGA President
Bryan Matthews, Director of Athletics & Associate VP
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