August 25, 2010

Students can volunteer for annual Day of Service

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Student Development and Saluki Volunteer Corps at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are hosting the 16th annual Day of Service on Sept. 11.

The event brings together hundreds of student volunteers working jointly to make the community around them a better place. It also serves to increase awareness about volunteerism opportunities at the University and beyond. With this year’s Day of Service falling on 9/11, organizers hope for an even bigger turnout in remembrance of what happened nine years ago on that date.

Salukis will meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Student Center’s Corker Lounge and then head out for community service projects at various locations. Everything wraps up about 12:30 p.m. and then all the participants gather back at the Student Recreation Center for free pizza.

Volunteers can participate in any of the following Day of Service activities:

• The Birdhouse Factory: Building and painting birdhouses to donate to local environmental groups.

• Boys and Girls Club: Assist with 9/11 remembrance activities and help with painting at the club.

• Carbondale Main Street: Planting flowers to landscape the historic downtown square area.

• Keep Carbondale Beautiful: Sprucing up various locations around Carbondale.

• Zambian Children’s Center: Creating T-shirts for orphaned children in Kabwe, Zambia.

Growing bigger every year, the SIUC Day of Service typically draws more than 250 student participants. Community organizations, offering very positive feedback each year on student efforts, are most appreciative of the Saluki help.

Students must pre-register for the service activities no later than Sept. 7 at Student Development, located on the third floor of the Student Center. For more information, call 618/453-5714.