Helping to stock displays in the garment gallery were, from left, Audrey Foos, Megan Shaughnessy and Elizabeth Arrington.

The State University of New York at Fredonia gave back in a huge way, delivering over 270 hours of service to nonprofits in “Saturday of Service.”

Four local organizations – the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity, Lakeshore Humane Society and Salvation Army – were beneficiaries of “Saturday of Service,” a day of community service on Feb. 1 that concluded a full week of programs honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“It went really well, a significant increase in participation from last year,” observed Director of Campus Life Mark Suida of the many students who contributed to the day of service. Indeed, those 272 hours given by over 90 students, along with 23 faculty, administrators and members of the President’s Cabinet, represent almost a four-fold increase over the 2024 tally.

“We’re about 200 hours over what we did last year,” Suida exclaimed, when 75 hours were served.

“It was absolutely superb,” Marilyn Kurzawa, a volunteer and member of the board of directors of Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity, said of the work students did at a new home the organization is building in Dunkirk.

“The students were energetic, excited and accomplished a great deal, and seemed to have a good time doing it,” she said.

Varnishing doors and painting baseboards were primary duties of a crew who were joined by 15 Habitat for Humanity volunteers who work on a habitat home every Saturday morning.

The Salvation Army needed a major interior facelift, so painting was the primary job undertaken by the campus volunteers.

“We needed to do a lot of painting, which means we also had to move a lot of furniture to be able to make that happen, and they also helped tear up a rug in another room,” reported Major John Merchant. “Without their help we would not be able to make that happen.”

Eight gallons of paint were applied to walls in the large lobby and two long corridors on either side that lead to offices that were also painted and a multipurpose room and basement.

The Salvation Army was expecting 10 volunteers, but close to 20, representing two campus groups (STEPS and Sigma Phi Epsilon) reported for duty.

Their donated labor saved the Salvation Army a lot of money and energy, according to Merchant, so money the organization raised during Christmas can support the food pantry. “The more money we save, the better off we are,” Merchant remarked, adding that the Saturday of Service “was perfect timing” for the organization.

Moreover, several students indicated they plan to return to the Salvation Army to do even more painting, according to Merchant. “Kudos to the college; they did a great job!”

Suida indicated Merchant was so thrilled with the work that he bought pizza for everyone.

“The Salvation Army services 150 families every month who are in need of food, and also supports people in crisis, so students were highly motivated to help out,” Suida added.

The campus contingent was more than ready to tackle a varied list of tasks at the Lakeshore Humane Society. They cleaned kennels, wiped down baseboards, did some touch-up painting, took care of laundry, played with cats and dogs, and bathed dogs.

“They were wonderful and positive, and seemed very happy to interact with the animals,” said humane society volunteer Lisa Newell. “It was a very positive morning.”

Professor Todd Proffitt, president of the Allegheny Highlands Council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), supported the day of service by making improvements at properties of the organization.

A major contributor to the hefty year-over-year increase in hours was scheduling the day of service on a Saturday, instead of a weekday, which was the case in 2024. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Presidential Commission also worked with the Student Association to promote the week’s events.

“Based on feedback, students wanted to do it on Saturday, when they were freed up from classes or work,” Suida explained. “We were a little concerned how many students would sign up but were thrilled with the student response.”

Students represented clubs or organizations that included STEPS and several Greek organizations: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Kappa and Sigma Gamma Phi.

“There definitely is a need for volunteers in these nonprofit organizations and agencies, and it’s clear that our students want to volunteer and really serve,” Suida said.

Volunteering is a high-impact experience, Suida noted. “One of the outcomes is that students really get to understand what the needs of the community are and also feel they can make a difference.”

Additionally, volunteers were scheduled to assist the staff of another community organization, Prevention Works, which provides use prevention, social emotional learning and intervention services, on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Suida indicated many students in the clubs will be returning to the organizations because they’ve developed a relationship with them and plan to make their service with an organization a regular activity of their club.