September 07, 2016

Students to participate in Saluki Service Days

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Through a series of community improvement projects, Southern Illinois University Carbondale students will be giving of their time and energy to make the region a better place. 

The Saluki Service Days kick off with several activities on Sept. 10-11 in conjunction with the National Day of Service and Remembrance. On Saturday, Sept. 10, student volunteers will assist with the Veterans Services 9/11 Run to Remember which begins at Saluki Stadium at 8 a.m.  The race route circles campus lake. 

Also that day, Salukis will be assisting with a Habitat for Humanity home project at 1924 Hamilton St. in Murphysboro, That morning, students will assist with yard work involving a retaining wall, drainage and a parking area. Then on Sept. 11, organizers anticipate a larger group of student volunteers will be working 9 a.m. to noon and/or 1-4 p.m. at Touch of Nature Environmental Center’s Stewardship Days. They will assist in building or renovating trails.  

Saluki Service Days continue the weekend of National Public Lands Day on Sept. 24. Volunteers will be painting doors, installing laminate flooring or doing other work at the Habitat for Humanity home in Murphysboro the morning of Sept. 24. Other students will help with the Carbondale Walk to End Alzheimer’s taking place that morning in the area of the campus lake and boat dock pavilion. In addition, volunteers will be working throughout the day again Sept. 25 on trails at Touch of Nature Environmental Center. 

Make a Difference Day, Oct. 22, will find Salukis helping clean and complete final detail or landscaping work at the Habitat for Humanity home on Hamilton Street in Murphysboro in preparation for the homeowner moving in. 

Plans are also in the works for another service-related activity on campus on Oct. 22 as well as a special service event on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. 

Find more information about Saluki Service Days, including on-line signup for students who want to participate and details of upcoming events as they are finalized, at www.salukiservicedays.siu.edu. Advance sign-up is requested to allow organizers to better plan. 

Saluki Service Days serve a dual purpose; they enable students to earn community service or university service hours while making positive contributions at SIU and in the surrounding community. SIU Student Affairs is sponsoring the program.