Boston, MA – September 1, 2006 – On Friday, September 1, 2006, more than one thousand freshman students participated in Wentworth Institute of Technology's annual service day.

This was a culmination of orientation week activities that had been arranged on and around campus.

A service day rally was held on the Quad lawn before the students set off for the days activities. Guest speakers included President Zorica Pantic, State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, City Councilman Michael Ross, and Marta Rivera – who challenged students to become involved in the local neighborhood during their time at Wentworth.

Projects were focused on Wentworth's surrounding neighborhood. Tasks ranged from landscaping, cleaning and restoration of parks, graffiti removal, cleanup and painting in residential communities, and helping schools prepare to open their doors for the fall.

Feedback from the sites was incredibly positive; the amount of energy and enthusiasm that the Wentworth students took with them was conveyed through their efforts. The improvements that they were able to make to local schools, societies, and parks in just one day, supplemented already existing volunteer efforts, and surpassed all expectations. 

Nathan Hale Elementary School said of the students "they were awesome – great energy, effort and performance. Students, staff, parents and community members will be amazed at the hard work. We would not have been able to complete all of the tasks before school opening day without the help of your organization."

It was a wonderful opportunity for students to gain not only an understanding of the diversity of the neighborhood, but also a perspective of what a difference volunteering can make.