This fall, the University of Virginia is introducing a new “Days of Service” initiative, designed to expand opportunities for students to engage with the Charlottesville community through one-day service events. The project, led by Student Engagement and supported by Madison House and Public Service Pathways, offers a way for students to make an impact without the year-long commitments required by many service programs.
Ellie Maruca, Public Service Pathways Student Advisory Council member and Madison House volunteer
The idea grew from conversations about how to make service more approachable for new and busy students while still emphasizing meaningful engagement. Ellie Maruca, a fourth-year Spanish and Global Public Health double major, helped develop the initiative over the summer.
“The motivation behind the project was to create more opportunities for students to be respectfully involved in service, even if they cannot make the full year commitment that most programs require,” Ellie shares.
She notes that students are sometimes unable to serve because they aren’t sure if they can commit to 1–3 hours a week throughout the academic year, as many Madison House long-term program placements require.
“Days of Service offers an opportunity for curious students to learn more about service at UVA and establish connections with community members so that if they are interested, they can become involved in a more consistent way,” says Ellie.
Days of Service opportunities this fall
Five Days of Service are already planned for the fall semester:
Growing Gratitude at the UVA Student Garden
Falling for the Garden at the UVA Student Garden
Adopt-a-Grandparent visits at The Colonnades senior living community
Meals from the Heart at Ronald McDonald House
Stockings for All in collaboration with UVA Health
Each event includes pre-volunteering training through a Canvas module that emphasizes themes of responsibility, reciprocity, and respect—values Ellie says are “qualities that UVA students should embody as citizen leaders.”
Ellie played a major role in designing two of the upcoming programs, including the “Stockings for All” initiative.
“Stockings for All will be an event hosted at UVA where students can write cards, create craft kits, and put together goodies for adult patients who will be spending the holiday season at UVA hospital,” she explains. “As a part of the planning process, we had a great conversation with the UVA volunteer coordinator Hannah Kaufman to hear how we can best serve the needs of their community.”
If you are a UVA student interested in Days of Service, follow these three steps.
Ellie recounts that during their conversation, Hannah noted that another group was already making the stockings. Rather than create a whole new project, Hannah and Ellie decided the additional volunteers could best serve by helping to stuff the stockings. “I loved how we were able to match our students’ desire to help with a real need,” says Ellie.
The emphasis on collaboration has been central to the planning process. Student Engagement partnered closely with other campus offices, including Madison House, Public Service Pathways, the Karsh Institute of Democracy, ROTC, and the Center for Community Partnerships, to create a cohesive effort to connect students to meaningful service. Ellie, along with fellow fourth-year students Lily Dorathy and Isabella Gattuso, spent the summer as interns helping bring the idea to life.
While the program offers flexibility for students, Ellie and other organizers are committed to ensuring it maintains the spirit of ethical engagement that Madison House programs are known for.
Through Madison House, Adopt-a-Grandparent volunteers visit their adopted grandparents weekly during the academic year.
“Consistency is key to building relationships and showing respect to community members,” Ellie reflects. “That’s something I’ve learned through my time with Adopt-a-Grandparent at Madison House. Even if these are one-day events, we want them to be meaningful experiences for both students and the people they’re serving.”
Organizers hope Days of Service will be especially beneficial for first-year and transfer students who are curious about community service but unsure where to start. By providing transportation, training, and a structured way to volunteer, the program removes common barriers to getting involved.
“Service is such a core part of the UVA experience,” Ellie states emphatically. “With Days of Service, we’re making it easier for students to take that first step while also helping them understand the importance of responsibility and reflection in serving others.”
The program will continue throughout the academic year, with Student Engagement coordinating logistics and support, and plans are already underway for future events.
By Cecilia Murphy