Volunteer services donated by Saint Joseph’s College in memory of Dr. Beth Auger

Faculty, staff and alumni volunteer at various locations including Camp Sunshine

Although colleges across Maine are wrapping up graduations, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine geared up for its annual Beth Auger Day of Service on Friday, May 18, deploying twelve teams of faculty, staff, and alumni to volunteer for eleven community partners across six towns in southern Maine. With a mission and a core value that place service and community at its center every day, the college commemorates this commitment by donating hundreds of hours of volunteer service in one day.

The list of Saint Joseph’s College’s Beth Auger Day of Service site locations include: Camp Sunshine (Casco), Catholic Charities-Threads of Hope (Portland), Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Portland), Maine Society for the Protection of Animals (Windham), November’s Harvest Farm (Limington), Pine Root Farms (Steep Falls), Preble Street Resource Center (Portland), Raymond Beautification Committee (Raymond), Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center (Windham), Ronald McDonald House (Portland), Wayside Food Salvage (Portland).

The annual day of service tradition took on a special meaning last year when a faculty member in the Department of Sciences–Dr. Beth Auger– passed away unexpectedly, and the day was renamed in her honor. Vice President & Chief Sponsorship and Mission Integration Officer Michael Sanderl said, “There was a powerful response by the college community last year in the days and weeks following the unexpected passing of Dr. Beth Auger; including many efforts to recognize the significant ways she impacted the college and local community. It was Saint Joseph’s College President, Dr. Jim Dlugos, who initiated the renaming of this year’s Day of Service to remember, honor, and celebrate Dr. Auger’s spirit of care, dedication, and service.”

Volunteers will wear t-shirts printed with “We must strive to do ordinary things extraordinarily well,” a quote attributed to Sisters of Mercy foundress Catherine McAuley.