1Day Hoboken is more than a day of service. It’s an opportunity to show our city that we’re for them, put love into action, and build meaningful connections with the people and organizations already making a difference in our community.

We sat down with Rachel, our Engage Associate Director, to hear more about the heart behind 1Day, what stood out this year, and why serving together matters.

“It’s one thing to say we love our neighbors, but it’s another thing to put that love into action through serving. Jesus modeled this as He showed up, met people where they were, and cared for their needs.”

For volunteers, 1Day becomes more than just completing a project. It becomes an opportunity to find purpose, experience belonging, and connect with others. Throughout the day, volunteers built relationships with people they may have never met before, learned more about organizations serving Hoboken, and discovered new ways to stay connected to their community.

“One of the coolest parts of 1Day is seeing people come in not knowing anyone and leave having built relationships with other volunteers and with the organizations they served.”

This year brought new opportunities to serve, including partnerships with more schools across Hoboken. It was also a meaningful chance to continue building relationships with organizations we’ve partnered with for years, including the Hoboken Housing Authority, Hoboken Shelter, Lunchtime Ministry, and Symposia Bookstore.

One moment that captured the heart of 1Day happened at Maxwell Cove. As volunteers worked to pick up driftwood and trash, a heavy rainstorm rolled in. Even as the conditions changed, they kept serving with joy.

“One of my favorite moments was seeing volunteers at Maxwell Cove serving with so much joy, even as the rain started pouring down. They were drenched and yet they kept working with huge smiles on their faces. Some even chose to head to another project afterward because they wanted to keep serving. Later, hearing them talk about the people they met and the connections they made was such a reminder of what 1Day is really about.”

Throughout the day, volunteers and organizations shared stories of connection. One volunteer serving with the Hoboken Shelter shared that she personally experienced the impact of shelter services while raising her children. Being able to serve that organization and share her story brought an even deeper meaning to the project.

Behind every moment of 1Day is months of preparation. From building relationships with community partners and organizing supplies to preparing volunteer leaders and creating opportunities for people to serve well, our Bridge Events team does so much behind the scenes to make the day possible.

“One of the biggest things I learned this year was the importance of letting people use the gifts they’ve been given. Getting to see our volunteer leaders and team step into their strengths and watch everything come together was really meaningful.”

The most rewarding part of 1Day is seeing the impact continue beyond the day itself- hearing volunteers talk about the connections they made, the organizations they learned about, and how they want to continue serving their city.

Because at the end of the day, 1Day is about more than a single day. It’s about showing up, building relationships, and reminding our city that it is loved.