New Utica University students spend day volunteering at various nonprofits for annual Pioneer Pitch-In

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New Utica University students spend day volunteering at various nonprofits for annual Pioneer Pitch-In

Group of students with President Pfannestiel at a Pioneer Pitch In Volunteer Site.

New Utica students moved onto campus and were already making a difference in their community.

A new Utica student paints a picnic table at the 2023 Pioneer Pitch In.

Utica University’s third Pioneer Pitch-In took place Thursday, August 24 - an annual event dedicated to community service for new students during their orientation.

Pioneer Pitch-In aims to provide students with an immersive opportunity and help them learn the importance of contributing to the community.

Hundreds of first-year and transfer Pioneers partnered with 30 nonprofit organizations across Central New York to complete service projects together. Projects included community clean-ups, organizing/sorting, mentoring/tutoring children, spending time with animals, and more.

Around 9 a.m., Pioneer Pitch-In participants boarded a bus with their group and headed off-campus to their designated assignment.

This year, Utica University students will volunteer at the following sites:

50 Forward Mohawk Valley
Apple Tree Preschool
Brookdale Senior Living
Catholic Charities Oneida/Madison County
Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County
GreenUtica
ICAN
Kirkland Art Center
Masonic Child Care Center
Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency
Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network at The Neighborhood Center
Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen/Boutique
Notre Dame Elementary School
Olmsted City
On Point for College Utica
Oneida County History Center
People First
Rome Art and Community Center
Rome Rescue Mission
Sculpture Space Inc.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace NY-Utica
The Arc, Oneida Lewis
The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica
The Root Farm
Upstate Caring Partners
Utica Bike Rescue
Utica Food Pantry
Utica Public Library
Utica Zoo

Students wrapped up at volunteer sites around noon and after volunteering, Pioneers participated in a guided reflection with their groups to discuss the experience, what they learned, and what they will take away from it.

For more photos from Pioneer Pitch-In, visit the Utica University Facebook Page.