RIT alumni come together for Global Day of Service

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Last year Rochester alumni volunteered to help tend the grounds at Mount Hope Cemetery.

RIT’s positive influence on communities will reach across the world on Saturday as alumni gather together to participate in the annual Global Day of Service on Sept. 16.

The Global Day of Service is an event organized by RIT alumni to help charities in their communities, both nationally and internationally. There are 28 chapter regions across the country participating at 48 different charity sites, an increase from last year when there were only 21 chapter regions at 28 charity sites. Internationally, there are four charity sites in Peru, Croatia, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Bill Sachman, senior associate director of chapter programs, said there are 275 people registered so far across the world, which already surpasses the number of participants from last year. He estimates that number will climb to 300 as Global Day of Service grows closer.

This is the first year Sachman is involved in coordinating this event, but he has participated before and really enjoyed his experience. He feels that the program is an enriching way for alumni to give back to their community.

“Global Day of Service shows that RIT is committed to having a positive impact on communities not only locally in Rochester, but also nationally and internationally,” Sachman said.

What makes this service project unique is that alumni have an opportunity to organize their own charity work and must coordinate with their community and peers for the Global Day of Service to succeed. RIT Tigers rarely shy away from a challenge, and with each passing year more and more alumni volunteer to host or get involved with the event.

Christina Pysher ’15 (biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering) jumped at the chance to organize a service event in her town of Hampton Roads, Va. She and her fellow alumni will be helping at the Animal Aid Society of Hampton building porches for their dog kennels.

Pysher is not only excited to help out her local dog shelter but also to meet new alumni and friends while getting involved with her community.

“Because this is our first event in Hampton Roads, I am looking forward to the connections we will be able to make within the RIT community and the possibility of future activities in Hampton Roads,” said Pysher.

While alumni are in charge of organizing events, current students and faculty can also get involved by volunteering the day of the event. Projects in the Rochester area include working at FoodLink, the George Eastman House, Sonnenberg Gardens and the local Ronald McDonald House.

For more information or to register for the event, go to the RIT Alumni Association page.