Students start the year off right with community service projects

After one week of classes, New Student Volunteer Day gave freshmen an opportunity to be inspired by the Lasallian spirit of service early in their college careers, and discover more of what Saint Mary’s University is about. The Office of Campus Ministry-organized event provided about 120 undergraduate students the chance to engage with the Winona community by lending a hand at six local organizations.

They painted an outdoor hockey rink, parts of a church and the inside of the Winona Friendship Center with an assist from several of our athletic teams. They also fixed up trails and parks, and worked at the Winona Humane Society. Throughout the year, Campus Ministry and Volunteer Mentors will offer students more shared opportunities to be good citizens and live the mission. Saturday's event attracted attention from area media including the Winona Daily News and WKBT-TV in La Crosse and Fox47-TV in Rochester.