By: Michaela Conway | Staff-Writer
Getting involved in the community of Newport is a great way to better yourself along with helping out those surrounding you! Each month Salve hosts and sends students to a variety of volunteer events. Community service is a requirement to graduate, but even if you complete those ten hours, it can’t hurt to do more.
COVID-19 has made it hard to have all opportunities available, but those offered by Salve are a great deal of fun. Pictured below are Salve students at the Trinity Episocal Church down in the center of Newport helping out at the annual pumpkin patch. The patch runs from the beginning of October to Halloween.
Students come in and help for three hour shifts: unloading the truck, setting up the patch, helping people find pumpkins, and working the table. Part of the proceeds go to the church and part of them go to the Indian reservation located in New Mexico that provides the church with the pumpkins. This particular reservation is currently at 40% unemployment, so it’s important that Newport does their part to help out.
Goodies can be found at the table. Locals donate muffins, bread, and treats to be sold and members of the church make hot cider and pumpkin chili.
Throughout their shift, students meet new people part of their Salve community as well as the greater community of Newport. It’s a great opportunity to get involved and work with people who you might never have met!
Coming up in November, there will be the Bike Newport annual bike cleaning on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th along with beach cleanups and yard cleanups throughout the month. There is also an opportunity to participate in a food and toy drive to benefit the Potter League Animal Center. There are plenty more opportunities to get involved that can be found at
https://salve.edu/community-service/service-opportunities.
