National
TRIO Day!

Celebrate National TRIO Day! Share your stories!

On February 24, 1986, a congressional resolution (H. Con. Res. 278) declared that Saturday, February 28, 1986, should be designated as “National TRIO Day” to commemorate the annual achievements of the Federal TRIO programs in communities across the country.

Every year since then, our community has reserved the fourth Saturday in February as National TRIO Day — an opportunity to focus the nation’s “attention on the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives if they are to become contributing citizens of the country, and to the talent which will be wasted if that investment is not made.”

For many programs, National TRIO Day has become a tradition as it allows students who benefit from the TRIO programs to give back to their local communities through acts of service. In past years, National TRIO Day celebrations have included some of the following activities.

  • Building homes with Habitat and Humanity
  • Organizing voter registration drives
  • Raising awareness about TRIO through visits to the State Capitol
  • Reading to children at the local library
  • Cleaning a park, river, or other public areas
  • Assisting the Salvation Army, Red Cross, United Way, or local non-profit
  • Volunteering at the Humane Society, soup kitchen, or local animal shelter

The National TRIO Day action packet, which includes sample invitation letters, media advisories, and other materials, is available here (.pdf) for your use.

Help make TRIO Day a community-wide event by enlisting the participation of your campus and community, including corporations and businesses in the area. We also highly encourage you to invite your Members of Congress and other elected officials to join you during the celebrations and service activities. The following packet includes a sample speaker invitation letter, TRIO Day proclamation, media advisory, and other tools to help you promote TRIO Day in your community.

Please be sure to send the Council for Opportunity in Education staff pictures and news clips about your TRIO Day activities! Don’t forget to use #NationalTRIODay on social media!

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