Serving with Purpose the SNHU Way: Parks, People and the Planet

This past spring, alumni, students and employees commemorated the 10th annual Global Days of Service (GDS) — a long-standing tradition at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). From large-scale conservation projects to a microcosm of volunteers crafting for good, the SNHU community came together for the shared purpose of making a difference.

Throughout March and April, volunteers contributed more than 9,500 hours of service in 44 states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico and Canada.

GDS welcomed back 30 returning project leaders and introduced 32 new project leaders this year — the highest number of project leaders to date. In total, 63 official projects took place in person and virtually.

Global Days of Service 10 in 10

To honor the 10th year, the Global Days of Service planning committee collaborated with local community organizations to host 10 official projects in the first 10 days of the 2 month-long event. These projects ranged in impact and touched on many different areas of support in collaboration with New Hampshire-based nonprofits.

SNHU President Lisa Marsh Ryerson rolled up her sleeves alongside volunteers to collect donations for the New Hampshire Food Bank. The New Hampshire Food Bank serves as the only food bank in the state, working to provide nutritious food and resources to the hundreds of thousands of residents that are food insecure.

Within another project, volunteers joined students for an afternoon of crafting at Northwest Elementary School. This event was part of the Manchester School District’s 21st Century Afterschool Program, a federally funded out-of-school time program whose mission is to provide academic support and enrichment activities at Manchester schools to student learning and growth.

Additionally, GDS volunteers partnered with Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County to help prepare for the organization’s Dine-Out Club. Participants worked to clear out the basement of an old restaurant by sorting items into three categories: keeping brand-new supplies, disposing of waste and donating usable restaurant items to local organizations in need. This project supported Meals on Wheels’ long-term goal of creating a vibrant, modern dining space and enhancing meal preparation for home deliveries.

Crafting for Good

For some volunteers, the accessibility of Global Days of Service has allowed them to get creative with ways to contribute — literally. Since knit and crochet-based projects were introduced in 2019, participation and interest have gradually increased. These projects have supported a variety of populations, including blanket making for people experiencing homelessness, comfort items for hospice patients, and, new this year, bird nests for rescued wildlife.

For SNHU academic advisor and alumna Angie Clark ’22 ’23MBA, the motivation to lead the Crochet or Knit Bird Nests project stemmed from her lifelong passion for wildlife. Clark’s project supported Maine Wildlife Transport, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to rescue, stabilize, and transport ill, injured or orphaned wildlife to a licensed rehabilitation center within the state of Maine.

The hand-made nests allow the organization to securely transport baby birds, squirrels, rabbits and other small species of wildlife. Clark stayed connected with her fellow volunteers by sharing updates on their progress in the Serve with SNHU Facebook group.

“In addition to helping local wildlife, it was such a nice way to meet other SNHU team members and alumni that I would have never met otherwise,” she said. “It was also nice to follow other teams and see how their projects were progressing.”

The Crochet or Knit Bird Nests project yielded a total of 100 nests — twice the amount Clark expected. Volunteers created so many nests, she was able to donate additional nests to a second organization – the Center for Wildlife in Ogunquit, Maine.

The crafting didn’t stop at bird nest making — volunteers also used their crafty skills to create comfort items for patients at Amedisys Hospice in Morgantown, West Virginia. Volunteers made a variety of comfort items such as plushies, blankets, hats, scarves and more. In total, over 90 volunteers gave back to their communities by knitting and crocheting.

“Many knitters and all kinds of crafters find their hobby very stress relieving and great for their own mental health,” said Clark. “This is a great way to help our wildlife while doing something good for ourselves as well.”

Bears of Care

On SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, many students and staff raised their hands to take part in the initiative.

SNHU student and returning project leader Mya Dowd, was joined by her peers at The Chandler Center to support the Jayme’s Bears Project. Founded in 2012, this effort gifts hand-sewn bears to children living through difficult circumstances, locally and around the world. Twenty-five bears were donated to Roca Kidz Club, a Christian youth organization that offers a free academic and enrichment program followed by dinner.

Dowd feels so passionate about the mission of the Jayme’s Bears Project, she volunteers for the organization regularly. As a student, she also finds value in volunteer work because it gives her the perspective to practice gratitude while building a new community in the name of service.

“I often bring new friends and acquaintances to volunteer projects because I find it naturally breaks the ice by giving us a common goal to work toward,” Dowd said. “The highlight of my Global Days of Service experience was I was able to connect with SNHU staff and alumni over a cause we all cared for.”

Sustainability in Action

SNHU’s Office of Sustainability represented Global Days of Service with three official projects both on and off campus.

Led by employee Pamela Beckvagni, assistant director of programs in the Office of Sustainability, volunteers spent three consecutive days improving outdoor spaces across Manchester. They spent time beautifying Veteran’s Park and the SNHU Arboretum by clearing the areas of any sticks, leaves and debris and putting down mulch. On the third day, volunteers help to prepare pollinator gardens at Piscataquog River Park in partnership with the Friends of Piscataquog River Park and the Audubon Society.

As a returning project leader, Beckvagni said she is passionate about bringing together SNHU community members who want to make the world a better place. She appreciated the chance to see her fellow SNHU staff and faculty members in person — instead of on the computer screen.

“I get such wonderful feelings when I am working with colleagues I have never met before,” said Beckvagni. “The work we do is so rewarding because we are making a visible impact on the community. It is instant gratification.”

Beckvagni said she uses up her Volunteer Time Off (VTO) hours every year. She is grateful, she said, that SNHU offers the program to employees — allowing her to support causes that are close to her heart.

“It’s an awesome perk for SNHU employees,” she said. “I get paid to make a difference. As employees, our support is priceless to the people and animals we volunteer for.”

Nature Under Study

While nature cleanups take place across the country each year, SNHU Global Days of Service inspired one project leader to launch a conservation and research initiative in his local community of Ballston Spa, New York.

Led by online student William Gorman in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the initiative aimed to support research on native species and promote public awareness of conservation practices. Since he was young, Gorman has always found sanctuary when immersing himself in nature and said he felt called to lead a project that combined his passion with an education element. Woods Hollow Nature Preserve instantly came to his mind for its unique habitats.

“This location offered the perfect opportunity to combine species monitoring, public education and hands-on conservation in a way that was both scientific and community-driven,” said Gorman. “I wanted to raise awareness about rare species, climate change and invasive plants, but in a fun, meaningful and interactive way.”

Gorman was joined by 11 volunteers for a day of community science and conservation. The group explored the trails while learning about native orchids, plant biodiversity and ecosystem health through hands-on environmental work. The project was a huge success. But for Gorman, it was only the beginning.

“This project let volunteers become researchers and stewards, and it gave them a real connection to conservation and ecology,” he said. “It wasn’t just service; it was transformation.”

Gorman plans to analyze collected samples of water and soil with the observations the volunteers gathered. With the help of Cornell’s resources, he hopes that his GDS project will inform conservation efforts for Woods Hollow.

“I’m so, so thankful that SNHU supported me in putting this project together. It’s going to make a real difference for the environment and the community here in New York,” said Gorman.

Service With a Side of SNHU Spirit

Together, the Global Days of Service projects addressed a range of needs while offering diverse ways for volunteers to get involved. Each opportunity was made possible by the support of volunteers and community partners.

Several members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors also took part, including Ira Kleiner '87 '89G '02MBA, who participated in the Pet Wishlist Drive, and Emily Maracson-Tolmie '19G '21MFA, who volunteered with Saratoga Youth Hockey in Saratoga Springs, New York.

“I wanted to give back to my community while representing the spirit of SNHU,” said Marascon-Tolmie. “It was rewarding to see the immediate impact of our collective efforts and feeling connected to a larger community working toward positive change.”

Katie Dugan '20G is an advancement communications manager and alumna of Southern New Hampshire University, where she completed her master's in communication. Her enthusiasm for storytelling and heart for connection began when she was an assistant editor of The Suffolk Journal, the student newspaper at Suffolk University. She combines professional expertise with her passion for accessible education to bring compelling communication strategies to life. Dugan can be found at any number of concerts, working up a sweat at an indoor cycling class or curled up with her cat, reading a juicy thriller. Connect with her on LinkedIn.