What is a Great Day of Service?
Held each year on the Monday Columbus Day holiday, a Great Day of Service brings together individuals, families, corporations, scout troops, youth groups, gardening clubs, associations and much, much more to work at pre-determined volunteer sites throughout Rhode Island. Imagine hundreds of volunteers of all ages uniting to do good for our state. Everyone can participate: students, families with young children, seniors, groups….spread the word – there’s an activity for all ages and abilities to participate at a Great Day of Service. That's what a Great Day of Service is all about.
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Who is responsible for organizing a Great Day of Service each year?
Beyond Our Walls (BOW), a non-profit established in 2004, was created as an interfaith group to do good for the local community and beyond. BOW members include people from various faith traditions as well as individuals with no religious affiliation. Anyone with a willingness to share their knowledge, energy and creative talents and a desire to better humanity as a whole is welcome to join us. BOW members come from all walks of life - working people, retired people, stay-at-home-moms, students, single people and more. They all have one common goal - community betterment. To learn even more about Beyond Our Walls,
click here.
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When will it take place?
The 4th Annual Great Day of Service will take place on
Monday, October 13, 2008 from 8am – 1pm followed by the Volunteer Celebration.
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Where?
Event check-in and kickoff will take place at both Barrington High School, Barrington, RI and Beneficent Church, 300 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI from 8am-9am. Immediately following kickoff, volunteers will report to their assigned site and will work on a project until approximately 1pm. Directions to each volunteer site will be provided upon check-in. All volunteers are invited to a Volunteer Celebration sponsored by
Whole Foods Market Providence at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Barrington when the site work is completed. Please
click here for directions to Barrington High School, Beneficent Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church.
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How do I participate and register?
REGISTRATION FOR A GREAT DAY OF SERVICE IS NOW CLOSED!
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Where can I find information about the worksites available for a Great Day of Service?
Please click here for information about the East Bay worksites. Please click here for information about the Greater Providence worksites. Please note that each site can only accept a limited number of volunteers.
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Can I participate in more than one worksite?
No. Participants may only select one site to work at during a Great Day of Service. We encourage you to come back every year to try out a new volunteer opportunity!
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How will I get to my worksite?
Directions to worksites will be available at check-in the day of the event. Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to their worksite. Carpooling is recommended for groups and individuals that will be working at the same site.
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What if my group wants to participate?
Groups are encouraged to participate in a Great Day of Service! If your group would like to participate but they aren’t interested in working at the same site, that’s totally fine.
If your group would like to participate and IS interested in working at the same site, your group must register together to ensure being placed at the same site. Group leaders may register their entire group; please note that a registration form must be filled out in for every individual in your group that you are registering. You many NOT fill out one registration form for your group. Group leaders MUST bring a signed waiver form for each participant in your group. Group leaders may sign the waiver for their members if a parent or legal guardian is unavailable. For additional questions regarding group registration, please email greatday@greatdayofservice.com
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When I registered, the site I was interested in wasn’t listed on the registration form. Why?
Please note that each site can only accept a limited number of volunteers. Once a site has filled, it will no longer be available.
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What if I register and can no longer attend a Great Day of Service?
Please email greatday@greatdayofservice.com as soon as you learn that you can no longer attend so that we may re-open your spot at the site you have registered for.
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How do I know which event check-in and kickoff site to arrive at on October 13th?
Worksite information is separated by East Bay and Greater Providence worksites. Beyond Our Walls will email participants with important reminders and information prior to a Great Day of Service. This reminder will also include your event check-in and kickoff site for October 13.
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What should I bring to event check-in and kickoff?
Please bring a valid form of identification (photo id/school id) and a signed waiver. (Download it HERE.) If working at an outdoor site, please dress accordingly. We suggest that all participants wear “work” clothes – jeans, sweats, etc. Participants may bring work gloves and tools – please label with your name. Please check your site description to determine if your site encourages you to bring something specific. We will provide participants with a snack and drink for each worksite. You may bring your own including a reusable water bottle if you wish. Toilet facilities will be provided at each registration check-in and kickoff site. All participants are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item which will distributed throughout the state to local food pantries.
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What forms need to be filled out in order to participate in a Great Day of Service?
All participants in a Great Day of Service MUST fill out an online registration form in it’s entirety. Additionally, all participants MUST have a signed waiver to participate in a Great Day of Service which you should bring with you on October 13. You can download and print a waiver HERE. If you have problems filling out the forms or if you have questions, please email greatday@greatdayofservice.com.
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Will you accept walk-ups the day of a Great Day of Service?
Yes, but there will be very limited site availability the day of the event. We will make every effort to accommodate walk-ups, but cannot guarantee placement at a site if you have not pre-registered. Walk-up participants at a Great Day of Service will take place on a first come, first served basis.
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What if it rains?
A Great Day of Service will take place rain or shine! In case of inclement weather, some outdoor sites may be cancelled. Alternate indoor projects will be planned. Announcements and more information will be given at event check-in and kickoff, but we know it will be sunny and beautiful!
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Are students eligible to receive community service hours by participating in a Great Day of Service?
Yes! All students will receive a community service hours form upon completion of a Great Day of Service upon request.
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I can’t come on October 13th for a Great Day of Service but I still want to help out. What can I do?
The most important thing you can do is HELP SPREAD THE WORD! Tell your friends and family about a Great Day of Service and send them to www.greatdayofservice.com. You can also help publicize by linking the event to your Facebook page by clicking here. There’s also opportunities to hang posters for the event (email greatday@greatdayofservice.com). Lastly, your tax-deductible donation can help support a Great Day of Service and the other fantastic programs of Beyond Our Walls. To make a secure donation online using PayPal, please click the yellow donate button below. (Please note: you will be navigated off the Great Day of Service website.) ; to donate via cash or check (please make it out to Beyond Our Walls): mail to PO Box 567, Barrington, RI,02806 and specify it's for a Great Day of Service.
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My non-profit agency/organization is interested in hosting a site for a Great Day of Service. How do we get involved?
We’re always looking for sites to expand a Great Day of Service and welcome your suggestions! Please email
greatday@greatdayofservice.com to indicate your interest and someone from Beyond Our Walls will be in touch with you.
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Are there sponsorship opportunities available?
YES! Sponsorship opportunities are available for a minimum donation of $25.00 for your business, group or organization. We will recognize your business/organization name with a site sign at that particular location. If you are interested in being a site sponsor please contact
greatday@greatdayofservice.com as soon as possible. We expect site sponsorships to fill up fast! If your company would like to donate with an in-kind donation, please email us.
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How is a Great Day of Service funded?
A Great Day of Service has been funded by many generous individuals, businesses and organizations in our state. With their help, Beyond Our Walls has been able to continue to grow a Great Day of Service and other worthwhile programs each year! This year, BOW is especially grateful to the George M. and Barbara H. Sage Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation for their generous support of a Great Day of Service. Please visit the
sponsors page and show your thanks by supporting these businesses and organizations. All donations help, large and small. Your tax-deductible gift is appreciated to support programs like a Great Day of Service. To make a secure donation online using PayPal, please click the yellow donate button below. (Please note: you will be navigated off the Great Day of Service website.) ; to donate via cash or check (please make it out to Beyond Our Walls): mail to PO Box 567, Barrington, RI,02806 and specify it's for a Great Day of Service.
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What’s the Volunteer Celebration?
All volunteers are invited to a celebratory after-party sponsored by
Whole Foods Market Providence at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Barrington, RI with free food, music and fun immediately following the close of their worksite.
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Have a question that wasn’t answered?
Please contact us by
clicking here.
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