Bowdoin Students come to Westrum House for Common Good Day

About Common Good Day

 

In his inaugural address President Joseph McKeen said, "It ought always to be remembered, that literary institutions are founded and endowed for the common good, and not for the private advantage of those who resort to them for education." To carry his vision into the 21st century, Common Good Day has become a yearly tradition at Bowdoin College that fosters collaboration among members of the Bowdoin community, local nonprofit agencies, and municipal organizations in the greater Brunswick area through service.  Each year, nearly 500 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Friends of Bowdoin volunteer on Common Good Day doing projects such as gardening, trail maintenance, visiting the elderly, painting, yard work, grant research, and spending time with children.  Each year, in addition to getting to know their community, participants enjoy lunch catered by Bowdoin Dining Services and get a FREE T-SHIRT!

This year, on September 19, some of the students chose Volunteers of America's Westrum House where they helped some of the seniors with housekeeping, steam-cleaning carpets, and outside grounds work. As part of the tradition of Common Good Day, Bowdoin's Polar Bear mascot offers free bear hugs all day. Thanks Bowdoin!