News

Students volunteer for community service

Although classes had yet to start, students, administrators and faculty from Salem State took time away from the final days of their summer vacation on Thursday, August 27 and set out in waves from the college’s North Campus on Lafayette Street to perform community service projects at locations from Salem to Lawrence. About 120 volunteers, comprised mostly of students with some administrators and faculty, were taking part in the college’s third Community Service Day this year. 
     
Rep. John F. Tierney visited the campus to thank the students for their outreach efforts. “The timing of Salem State's volunteer day falls during our remembrance of Senator (Ted) Kennedy, who made public service the focus of his life.” Tierney said.  “Like the senator, the participants reinforce the truth that all of us must work together to support our community and others who may be experiencing times of need.”
     
“Specifically this point was emphasized when we watched volunteer students labor at Appleton Farms harvesting fresh vegetables that will be served at food pantries and soup kitchens around the area,” Tierney added. “They realize that especially in economically difficult times, volunteerism is essential.”  
     
From working in the fields at Appleton Farms in Ipswich, to gardening and weeding at the Danvers Historical Society, to cleaning and organizing for the start of classes at Horace Mann and Saltonstall elementary schools, the Salem State volunteers were a welcome sight for many. “I can’t say enough about how great the students were to work with,” said Barbara Brown, director of the Lawrence History Center, one of 19 sites visited by the Salem State volunteers.

In photo above, Salem State student volunteers, from the left, Kay Khalifa, Maria Barakat and Michelle Dunn cleaned the kitchen at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem on Thursday, Aug. 27.