From San Francisco to Providence, hundreds of alumni across the country joined together for the first Alumni Day of Service on May 2, 2015. Alumni participated in 24 service projects in 20 communities across the country. The day was designed to provide opportunities for Dartmouth alumni, friends, and family to give back to their local communities while strengthening ties with fellow members of the Dartmouth community. View photos of the activities.
"The Dartmouth community came together to give back to our communities in a way that made a difference," says Aly Jeddy ’93, chair of the Dartmouth Alumni Council’s new Alumni Service Committee. "We made new friends and made new connections to the College, and we started what we hope will be a great tradition in years to come."
In Los Angeles, for example, more than 70 alumni spanning the Class of 1965 to the Class of 2014 volunteered at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and Fisher House, which provides housing to families so they can be close to veterans receiving treatment. (Jim Weiskopf ’66 serves as vice president of the Fisher House Foundation.)
Sharon Hudson, who has served as manager of the Fisher House for the past six years, worked closely with alumni and their families as they participated in bingo and a special lunch, visited with veterans and gave them gift bags, and helped beautify the grounds.
"It’s one thing to have people come out and volunteer, but you could tell they were enjoying what they’re doing, and were excited to be there,” says Hudson. “We’re so glad the Dartmouth alumni chose to visit us. They’re welcome back anytime."
Returning the graciousness, Winnie W. Huang ’92, who led the project, says, "We are so grateful that the VA, Fisher House, and our veterans shared this day with us. It was very touching as many of the veterans asked when we would be returning again and others called out, 'Thank you, Dartmouth!'"