Salem State Students Arrive On Campus With Day Of Giving Across North Shore

SALEM, MA — Salem State incoming freshmen arrived on campus in a spirit of giving last week as more than 130 students participated in 20 community projects across the North Shore.

The 10th annual First Year Day of Service included programs in Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Peabody, and for elementary schools throughout Salem.

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Salem State Day of Service co-organizer Mathew Chetnik said many of the students helped out Friday and then asked to return Friday afternoon because "they wanted a full day of activities to meet more people and make a bigger difference."

"First Year Day of Service is an important reminder that service is not just about what we do on campus — it is about strengthening the neighborhoods and organizations that support us every day," Salem State University President John Keenan said. "As the Commonwealth's Civic Engagement University, service is woven into who we are as an institution.

"It is more than a one-day event: it is a reflection of our values, and it is a tradition we hope our students carry with them throughout their time here and beyond."

Projects included preparing meals and serving guests at My Brother's Table in Lynn to supporting Beverly Bootstraps by organizing and displaying donated items.

"What we’ve found is that so many of our students have met their best friends at Day of Service,"

said Katelyn Adams, associate director of Salem State’s Center for Civic Engagement, and co-organizer of the Day of Service program. "Sometimes it's at the site, or it's at lunch, or they connect at the bonfire.

"The relationship piece is so important."

Several of the students went to Collins Middle School in Salem on Friday morning for a service project, putting together 250 backpacks with school supplies funded through a grant awarded to Salem Public Schools. The bags contain messages wishing them a good school year in Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole, with templates provided by the university.

"This is a profoundly kind gesture from Salem State, and we are so grateful," said Collins Middle School Principal Gavin Softic. "At Collins, we strive to build a welcoming community with a strong sense of belonging. Having backpacks and school supplies ready on the first day helps students feel seen, builds confidence and makes the transition to a new school smoother. This thoughtful act will truly impact their school experience."

Students also prepared more than 2,000 pencil pouches for students throughout Salem’s elementary schools, funded by the university. The pencil pouches were also loaded not just with supplies, but with inspirational messages to start the young child's year off right.

"We have long valued our partnership with Salem State, with which we share many values," said Salem Public Schools Superintendent Steve Zrike. "These gifts and the presence of student volunteers send a powerful message to our students about the importance of civic engagement."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)