More than 800 volunteers turned out for Vincentian Service Day held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The annual tradition of giving back to our communities dates to 1998 and encourages students, staff, faculty, and alumni to participate in a day of service with dozens of partners across Chicago. Local volunteers participated at more than 30 Chicago area sites cleaning up neighborhood gardens and playgrounds. DePaul alumni across the country also took park in Vincentian Service Day by filling food pantry boxes, beautifying beaches and writing cards to sick children.
The day began with an early morning rally where St. Vincent de Paul (student Vincent Rinella) and St. Louise de Marillac (student Jessica Hernandez) encouraged volunteers to serve others and enjoy their day.
Howard Rosing, executive director of the Steans Center, welcomed the VSD volunteers and offered a reflection before students and staff headed out to the community sites.
Volunteers got their hands dirty to clean up the neighborhood greenspace and pull weeds at the Enlace Chicago Community Garden.
Volunteers prepare raised garden beds for the spring and summer growing season at the Lawndale Triangle Garden.
Alumni from the Denver, Colorado, area volunteered to fill boxes of food at the Denver Inner City Parish. (Photo courtesy of Alumni Relations)
Chicagoland DePaul alumni volunteered with the Chicago Park District to clean and beautify Montrose Beach. (Photo courtesy of Alumni Relations)
Alumni gathered in the Loop Campus DePaul Center to create handmade cards to inspire sick children for the "Cardz for Kidz" program. (Photo courtesy of Alumni Relations)