COVINGTON, Ky. — Hundreds of students volunteered at 45 organizations across the greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region for Thomas More University's annual Saints Serve Day, lending their hands in community service projects ranging from litter cleanup to assisting local charities.

One location of service was the Ohio River Bank Clean up with the Foundation for Ohio River organization. More than 100 students came to pick up trash and make the riverfront cleaner for residents. 

Freshmen Ava Reveal and Lucas Toro were among those participating.

“I would definitely say the beach ball and the chairs were the most bizarre things we found,” Reveal said, laughing as she described the unexpected discoveries along the riverbank. 

Toro emphasized the importance of service and giving back. 

“As much as we have a responsibility to ourselves to get an education, we also have a responsibility to others to serve them, to make their life better," Toro said. 

As part of the annual Saints Serve Day, normal daytime activities were canceled to allow faculty, staff and students to serve local nonprofits and charities.

This year, students were given a list of 45 organizations for which they could volunteer. One was the Foundation for Ohio River Education, which teaches people on preserving and protecting the river.

David Bailey, president of the Foundation for Ohio River Education, said the students' efforts can go a long way. 

“It’s more than just picking up litter off the bank," Bailey said. "It's about being better stewards of the river, preserving it for future generations." 

During last year's day of service, more than 1,100 Thomas More volunteers including students, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees members, participated in more than 70 projects with 45-plus organizations across the region, resulting in more than 3,000 hours.