Regis, a leading Catholic university in Greater Boston, sponsored a “Care for the Dear Neighbor” day of service on the Weston campus and in the community on Thursday, September 28. The day was established to celebrate Founders’ Day which marks the anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Boston on October 2, 1873.
“At Regis, we encourage our students to participate in the world around them and try to instill in them the core value of serving others,” said Antoinette M. Hays, PhD, RN, president of Regis. “We’re proud that hundreds of members of our university community volunteered throughout Greater Boston to make a difference in the lives of others.”
The day started with a community gathering at the Grotto on the Weston campus to set the stage for volunteer work by Sister Mary L. Murphy, CSJ, who talked about the power of community and encouraged the crowd to widen their circle.
Regis volunteers departed for various locations around the Boston area. Vocell Bus Company transported over 100 students to clean up Department of Conservation and Recreation community spaces in Waltham.
Regis students and employees volunteered to help homeless men and women select clothing and prep for lunch at St. Francis House in Boston, the largest day shelter in Massachusetts serving more than 600 poor and homeless people each day.
Glee Singers performed during mass at Bethany Hill Health Care Center in Framingham and had lunch with the retired sisters.
A group of students traveled to Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School in Lawrence to tutor students and assist with several buildings and grounds projects around the school.
Volunteers served brunch at Hope Lodge in Boston and sorted children’s clothing at Cradles to Crayons in Brighton.
Twenty-five students and employees participated in trail clean-up in the Highland Forest directly behind Regis with the Weston Forest and Trail Association.
Nearly 100 students gathered in College Hall foyer to write cards and make birthdays-in-a-box for Birthday Wishes, a non-profit that provides a party box and gifts to homeless children and their families.
Others who chose to stay on campus participated in an American Red Cross blood drive organized by the Men’s Lacrosse team, helped prepare a membership drive at the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History, and a field day for our youngest students from the Children’s Center led by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
