Ponte Vedra native helps renovate her college town and paves way for a brighter community

When Ponte Vedra native Gabbi Lutz decided she wanted an education that focused on community service and volunteerism, she knew the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts was the right choice. Four years later, this past May, Lutz graduated from the college with a degree in psychology, but left her mark on the school by leading April 2019’s Build Day event for the Working for Worcester program. 

Working for Worcester is an organization dedicated to mobilizing college students to improve recreation infrastructure and educational opportunities within neighborhoods across the city. The organization also focuses on promoting literacy and providing a safe and revitalized community. 

The sole focus of the organization is to organize and execute their “Build Day” events that happen once a year in April. WFW volunteers divide and conquer the city as they go to their assigned renovating sites and spend the day improving their community, one facility at a time. 

This year’s Build Day took place on April 13 in 24 building sites around Worcester. About 1,500 volunteers showed up that early Saturday morning to fuel up on a complimentary breakfast and create an impact on their community. 

“There are nine colleges and universities in Worcester, so it’s a great way to bring all of the colleges and students together to get more involved in the community,” Gabbi Lutz said. 

Playgrounds were built, basketball hoops were installed and art studios were revitalized, providing a brighter city and brighter future for children in Worcester. 

Other areas that were renovated included the Girls Inc., Columbus Park and Worcester Arts Magnet School. 

“One of the playgrounds we did was at an elementary school that one of my friends actually went to,” Lutz said. “She told us how much it meant to her. They had nothing to play on before and to see that we were putting a playground there meant a lot.” 

Another renovation site, El Buen Samaritano, is a food pantry that WFW turned to both a pantry and e-learning center. The first floor remained as the pantry while the organization renovated the second into an after-school learning center, with computers, wi-fi connection or anything that can help students with after-school education. 

“It was so fun, revitalizing and helping with everything,” Lutz said. “Build Day has grown every year and this was our biggest year yet.” 

Lutz joined WFW her sophomore year in 2015 and immediately signed up for the WFW leadership team. She joined the PRESM (Public Relations, Events and Social Media) team, where she managed the organization's online presence and planned the Build Day rally.

“I eventually worked up the ladder and became the head of PRESM my junior year and Co-Executive Director my senior year this past year.”

Lutz shared the position alongside students Tommy Nixon and Lily Pochintesta, but since she recently graduated in May, Lutz can no longer hold a leadership team position as it’s entirely student-run. However, WFW also has an advisory board of about 20 members, filled with corporate sponsors, community members, previous co-executive directors and alumni who wish to remain active in the organization. 

“Since every year there are new executive directors, it’s important that we keep some continuity,” Lutz explained. “It’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time for new directors, so we’re always there for advice and to volunteer.”

Lutz’s communal spirit and volunteerism sparked at a young age. Even in Ponte Vedra, she volunteered in Vicar’s Landing, helping the retirement community at TPC Sawgrass. 

From early volunteering opportunities helping senior citizens to leading and running an entirely student-run organization across a city, Gabbi Lutz looks back on her roles in society and how she will continue to make her community a better place to live. For everyone. 

“You don’t realize how lucky you are to grow up with all these safe places to play, so it was a great opportunity to provide those kinds of areas for children across Worcester,” Lutz reminisced.

“My plans right now are to eventually go to medical school and continue my focus on volunteerism,” she said. “I want it to remain a focus and it will continue to be a huge focus forever.”