Davidson-Davie promotes community and caring during second Day of Service
A team of Davidson-Davie volunteers, pictured with Jen Fuller-Allen (in green), CEO of the J. Smith Young YMCA, worked on a variety of projects at the Y, including landscaping, pressure washing, and cleaning buses. {Contributed photo}
THOMASVILLE, NC – With campus quieter than usual as students enjoy spring break, Davidson-Davie employees headed out into the community today to engage in their second Day of Service, an opportunity to give back to the many agencies and organizations that serve Davidson and Davie counties.
“I know that each of you will serve with the same care and compassion that’s part of our campus culture, and for that I’m grateful,” said Dr. Darrin Hartness, president of the college, addressing faculty and staff ahead of Wednesday’s service day. An initiative of Hartness after he became president of the college, the first Day of Service was held in 2019. Because of Covid, the successful service day could not be repeated again until this year.
Two teams from the college spruced up the landscaping at the Thomasville post office and the Woman’s Club as part of the ReViLLEing downtown revitalization project.
Like 2019, the 2023 service day includes a variety of locations throughout Davidson and Davie counties. Close to 150 employees are serving at more than 20 separate project sites, including Lexington and Thomasville locations of the Salvation Army, the American Children’s Home, Davie Habitat for Humanity, Davie Smart Start, Davidson Medical Ministries, a number of K-12 schools, and the J. Smith Young YMCA in Lexington.
"We are so excited to have help during Davidson-Davie's Day of Service," said Jen Fuller-Allen, CEO of the J. Smith Young YMCA. "The volunteers from the college are helping us complete some much-needed tasks, and we are so appreciative to have partners who come together with us to help serve our community."
The commitment to service and community actually stretched beyond just one day, as faculty and staff worked to replenish the college’s food pantry in the days leading up to the Day of Service, and yesterday wore lavender ribbons to signal support for colleagues, friends, and families dealing with cancer.
“Because I grew up in this community, it makes me feel good that I’m able to give back, especially to organizations that have helped me,” said Carmen Davis, director of the Learning Commons at the college, as she helped make fleece blankets for local agencies. “As a single mother, I did have to ask for help sometimes, so it's good that I’m in a position now to give back to those who supported me.”
Fleece blankets made by a 15-person team will be distributed to a variety of agencies.
Volunteers tackled landscaping projects at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Davidson County
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Davidson-Davie Community College (www.DavidsonDavie.edu), which incorporated Davie County into its name in 2021, is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, Davidson-Davie offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to four-year schools. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, Davidson-Davie is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields.
