Each year, many students, faculty, staff members and members of various campus organizations participate in Reaching Every Door Day or RED Day.
This year’s RED Day is Tuesday, Oct. 3. Classes will operate on a compressed schedule that day. Throughout the afternoon, SFU students will assist residents and small businesses throughout the area with various projects.
“RED Day is a great way for us to give back to our community and embrace our Franciscanism. Community members are always so thankful for our help,” said Meghan DeFrancesco, SFU’s Assistant Director for Student Engagement.
“RED Day acts as a reminder of how small acts can benefit the greater good.”
SFU will be celebrating its 13th RED Day next week. The event is modeled after Texas A&M’s “Big Event,” a one-day student-run service project where participants focus on giving back to their community.
“I enjoy participating in RED Day because it brings many organizations at Saint Francis together to give back to our community,” said junior Cierra Denny. “Everyone that I have helped has always been so appreciative.”
In years past, SFU students have spent RED Day volunteering at local nursing homes, community churches and borough buildings in Loretto, Cresson, Lilly and Ebensburg. Services vary and have included painting, raking leaves, moving furniture and cleaning.
“The family we helped last year cried and tried to pay us for helping them,” said junior Bella Schlouch. “I remember them saying how nice it was to have young people around again.”
Those interested in volunteering for next week’s RED Day can register individually or as a group through Student Life. Projects will either be assigned to volunteers or they can choose a project themselves.
