The University celebrated Reaching Every Door (RED) Day on Oct. 1. This is an annual event during which groups from all over campus participate in various community service events at different locations.

Classes are under a compressed schedule each RED Day in order to free up time for students and faculty to participate in volunteer work. After 2 p.m., students and faculty travel to predetermined locations to help others with a myriad of different activities.

RED Day events are coordinated by the Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority at SFU. The sisters of Gamma Sigma Sigma connect students with area residents.

Many athletic team members choose to do their community service as a team. This includes anything from pitching in a hand at Vale Wood Farms to sending cards to troops in the U.S. Army.

The cheerleading team paired up with the American Red Cross to install smoke detectors in houses in the surrounding areas of Loretto. The cheerleaders also sent appreciation cards and care packages to American soldiers currently deployed overseas.

“We spoke with some of the residents about checking their batteries regularly and creating an action plan in case of emergencies,” said cheerleader Cassie Friday.

Josh Blair, a member of the men’s volleyball team, participated in two different community service events on RED Day. First, he and other residents of the Bach House adopted a trail at Prince Gallitzin State Park and cleaned it up. Blair also visited the Cambria Care Center and decorated seven hallways at the facility for Halloween.

“Service is a vital part of life,” said Blair. “As the president of a service fraternity, I am always looking for ways to get involved.”

SFU Faculty Athletics Mentor Tricia McFadden agrees.

“Service is at the very heart of our mission at Saint Francis University,” said McFadden.

“RED Day provides an opportunity to walk our values into the marketplace and local community.”