Pace Makes a Difference Day helped build a stronger connection with the Westchester community with the help of members of Student Development of Campus Activities, athletic teams, and other organizations.

Students had planned to participate in a community clean up but due to in climate weather, different events were held instead. Students helped build community ties by doing activities with disabled children and their families in Kessel’s Gottesman room. They face painted, made Halloween decorations, and danced.

Students often criticize the towns surrounding Pace like Pleasantville and Mount Pleasant for not being “college towns.” Though it may not seem like it, surrounding towns and villages are more connected with Pace than most students think.

The Center for Community Action and Research holds events throughout the year such as decorating the Pleasantville Cottage House during certain holidays. Athletics participate in a variety of community events, like visiting the senior citizen homes or local elementary schools on National Read Across America Day. Greek organizations hold events for high schoolers to learn about college experiences. Even Pace’s facilities, like Goldstein Fitness Center, are open to local members of the community with a member fee.

Communities surrounding Pace offer their businesses in return. Frank & Joes, The Pleasantville Diner, and other businesses not only sponsor our athletic programs, they also offer student discounts and allow students to use the school’s Flex Dollars. Though students have their campus security, the village’s police and fire departments offer students safety in and around the community.

Though these communities do support Pace, some feel that as college students, young minds, innovators, community builders, and as society’s future, Pace students should be giving thanks to the community that has offered them an area to learn and develop.

“I think it’s important to give back to the community because it allows me a chance to not only give thanks for the opportunities I’ve been given, and the experiences I’ve had, but it also helps ensure that future students will be able to have those same opportunities and experiences,” graduate student Brett Bittiger said.

Attending community building events like Pace Makes a Difference Day can help students to discover change and innovation by talking to citizens, creating friendships, helping strangers, and building ties with the community.