Students, faculty and staff from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration teamed up with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley for the annual United We Care volunteer event.

Held at the United Way Volunteer Resource Center in Boardman, the event began with a welcome from United Way leadership and a continental breakfast. Volunteers then sorted and packed essential items for the organization’s Care Closets, which serve as on-campus resource rooms stocked with food, hygiene products, clothing and school supplies for students in need.

“United We Care gives our students a chance to serve the community while supporting United Way’s mission to remove barriers to education,” said Laura J. Dewberry, director of YSU’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

For many students, the event provided an opportunity to connect classroom learning with community engagement.

“As an alum of Austintown Fitch High School, it was nice to give back to the school and community that have given me so many opportunities,” said Claudia DeRhodes, a freshman majoring in business analytics and economics.

“It’s a meaningful, hands-on way to learn about nonprofit organizations while also giving back to United Way, an organization that gives so much to our Valley community,” added Jimmy Powell, a freshman majoring in finance.

The partnership highlights WCBA’s ongoing commitment to civic engagement and experiential learning, giving students the chance to develop leadership and teamwork skills while making a difference in the Mahoning Valley.