Special Events

Into the Streets

This event is held early in the fall semester and provides the opportunity for new and returning students to get “into the streets.” Students can choose to participate in one of several community service projects including, but not limited to: building with Habitat for Humanity, yard work with the Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services, making a meal for the homeless shelter, and visiting the elderly in the area.

Pumpkin Palooza

A day in October devoted to providing area children with a safe place to trick-or-treat in groups on campus, as well as give back to their local community through service projects. Themed games, crafts, small service projects, snacks, and costumes make for a fun way to spend an autumn day! Mary Washington students are invited to volunteer as trick-or-treat guides or to run a craft, game or service project.

Annual Gift Box Drive for Head Start

A campus and community-wide effort to provide under-privileged pre-schoolers from Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford with toys, winter clothes, and hygiene products before the holiday season. Gift boxes are given out to Head Start students by our very own Dean Rucker as Santa!

Act! Speak! Build! Week

A week in March/April sponsored by Habitat for Humanity to promote poverty awareness and action against homelessness. Events include an on-campus BBQ build, film/discussion, cardboard village simulation, and LEGO house building construction contest.

Community Egg Hunt and Spring Forward Festival

Held the Sunday before Easter, children and their families are invited to spend the afternoon on Jefferson Square Lawn. Event includes spring related crafts, games, and a large egg hunt. Student volunteers are needed to stuff eggs, hide eggs, and to run crafts/games. Community members are asked to accompany their children and egg hunt participants must be 11 years old or younger.