Rutgers Students Make a Difference During Scarlet Day of Service

Nearly 700 students volunteered around the state

Rutgers students returned to the streets of New Brunswick and communities throughout New Jersey for the first in-person Scarlet Day of Service in two years.

Equipped with rakes, shovels and paint brushes, teams of students ensured the semi-annual Saturday of volunteering was a success.

“We had a New Brunswick cleanup opportunity, and we also had a couple of food pantry initiatives such as the Highland Park Food Pantry and the Five Loaves Food Pantry,” said Cassie Cuddihy, a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and director of the Community Service Committee of the Rutgers University Programming Association. “We had one site that was a Kiddie Keep Well day camp in Sandy Hook,” where students made sure the location was safe and healthy for small children.

At this past Saturday’s event, nearly 700 students – including individual volunteers and representatives from more than 40 groups – gave back to the local community at 23 different sites across the state.

“It’s a magical, special day and it’s really great to be back in person,” Cuddihy said.