Donations of clothes and household goods can pile up during the summer at YWCA Dayton, as people clear out their garages and attics and move out of school.

But thanks to a group of University of Dayton students, the donation room is clear and fully sorted.

The students who visited YW were with the UD Callings Program -- a summer program Campus Ministry offers for incoming first-year students, who are looking to learn how to become engaged leaders on the University of Dayton’s campus. Using the Marianist charism as a guide, participants will explore their faith and vocation as a student while learning about the four principles of learn, lead, serve and pray.

"University of Dayton is Marionist and the Callings retreat is right in the Marianist charism. This has been a good jumpstart to get us into the mindset of leadership and service, which is going to be important for us over the next four years," Luke Ledwon, incoming freshman at UD, said.

The Callings Program toured YW to learn about our programs and services for women and families. This includes learning about our domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, hotline, housing programs, and seeing our Children's Programs and donation process.

The next day, a crew of volunteers put their mission into action and sorted donations for Hope's Closet, our free in-house thrift store for our clients.

"We believe that our job as UD students is to also help the greater Dayton area be a better place," said Michael Dennison, both a student and leader with UD Callings.

YWCA Dayton hosts over 1,700 volunteer hours each year and receives more than $200,000 in annual in-kind donations. If your organization would like to get involved, email volunteers@ywcadayton.org.