This past Saturday, on 9/11 over 1,900 freshmen participated in GW’s Second Annual Freshman Day of Service. This year theme was “Giving Today for a Better Tomorrow.” The main focus of the different service projects was “sustainability and environmental protection.” This year students lined up outside the Smith Center at 11:30, and after fitting the over 1,900 freshman and hundred plus other volunteers for the opening ceremony. President Steven Knapp, Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshmen Helen Cannaday Saulny, and Student Association Executive Vice President Rob Maxim all spoke, thanking the students for their dedication to their new community. President Knapp said; “I think it’s a terrific introduction to your experience as new students at George Washington University.” The ceremony ended with Animal Planet host and conservationist Jeff Corwin thanking the freshmen for helping, and by reminding the students of the power of one, and how they should live their lives trying to do even the littlest things to help others. Students were then bussed to 14 different organizations, in all eight wards, as well as Maryland and Virginia. The organizations that participated and hosted the freshmen were; the Anacostia Watershed Society, WeatherizeDC, Rock Creek Park, Loaves and Fishes, Mount Vernon Triangle, We Are Family, Armed Forces Retirement Home, National Park Service, Casey Trees, Capital Area Foodbank, Transitional Housing Corporation, Ballou Senior High School, Washington Parks and People, and Vinson Hall Retirement Community. While the Anacostia Watershed Society hosted the most students, over 1000 students, the volunteers at the Vinson Hall Retirement Community were surprised with a visit from First Lady Michelle Obama. After volunteering the students were taken back to Kogan Plaza for a barbecue, and spontaneous performances from different student groups. The day ended with a 9/11-remembrance candlelight vigil. Of the day of service, freshman Colin said, he felt that the day was mostly symbolic, because he felt they spent more time listening to people talk and sitting in buses, than actually volunteering. However another freshman Justin said, “It was for a good cause, and it was worth it.”
