This past week marked the 25th anniversary of Trinity College’s, Do It Day, a community service event meant to start the year with a tone of commitment to and collaboration with our community of Hartford. Founded and organized by Joe Barber, Director of the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement, Do It Day has become an important event that brings together students to give back to Hartford’s organizations and neighborhoods. Throughout its history, Do It Day has engaged thousands of Trinity students in hundreds of service projects throughout the Hartford area.
Since 2015, Do-It Day has primarily focused on involvement by Trinity’s athletic teams and leaders from P.R.I.D.E. (Promoting Respect for Inclusive Diversity in Education). Barber shared, “Do It Day is an important Trinity tradition. There aren’t many events on campus that have lasted 25 years, never mind being one that engages 350-400 students in service projects throughout Hartford.”
This year, 402 students participated, working with 18 different organizations around Hartford. Trinity’s athletic teams were a major force, with 15 teams volunteering at 14 organizations, amounting to an impressive 353 athletes contributing their time and energy.
The athletic teams were involved in a wide array of projects, each making a tangible difference in the community. The wrestling team cleaned pews at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church while the men’s squash and tennis teams helped the “Friends of Pope Park” by tending to the community garden area on Park Street and removing any overgrown plants and weeds. The men’s and women’s rowing teams worked on some basic landscaping and trail maintenance with the Keney Park Sustainability Project, while the women’s lacrosse team went to Environmental Sciences Magnet School to improve the nature’s trail accessibility by clearing out the litter and overgrowth. The athletics teams not only bonded but got a chance to experience the importance of community service. Pierce Rutledge ‘25 shared that “my favorite part of Do-It Day is seeing a tangible change in the community and school throughout the years I have been here.”
Other student groups also contributed to making Do It Day 2024 a success as well. A total of 49 students from various organizations came together to help out at key sites: P.R.I.D.E. leaders worked in two groups, planting trees at Rocky Ridge Park and others cleaning at Zion Hill Cemetery. JELLO (January Experience of Living Learning Outreach) cleaned and organized the food pantry at Grace Episcopal Church. A big thanks as well to the Do-It Day support staff which was a group of 16 individuals who worked behind the scenes at check-in, preparing materials, and even designing this year’s t-shirts.
As the campus commemorates a quarter century of this impactful day, we look back at the great work and partnerships Trinity students have built with the city. Take a look at this clip from Do It Day 10 years ago: Trinity College Do It Day in Hartford. From cleaning parks and supporting businesses in Hartford to helping schools and aiding social services, the spirit of giving back is alive and well at Trinity College. Here’s to another 25 years of impact, service, and community. We hope to see many more Do-It Days in the future.
