ESU Community Helps Make Institution’s Inaugural Day of Service A Success with Volunteer Efforts

Posted by: admin on January 27, 2014, No Comments

On Thursday, January 23, East Stroudsburg University held its Inaugural Day of Service in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pictured from left to right volunteering at the Salvation Army are Brett Stewart, a graduate student from Altoona, Pa., seeking a degree in political science; Jamie Roland, a sophomore from Palmyra, N.Y., majoring in hotel, restaurant and tourism management; Tyler Hernandez, a junior from Tobyhanna, Pa., majoring in exercise science; and Colleen Anastasi, a graduate student from Rockville, Md., seeking a degree in clinical exercise physiology.

Members of the community and East Stroudsburg University volunteered on site and at various locations as part of ESU’s Inaugural Day of Service on Thursday, January 23, in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who envisioned a world free of poverty.

Members of Campus Activities Board (CAB) went to the Salvation Army where they served meals. The women’s basketball team went to Pocono Services for Family and Children, where they played games together, took part in story time and did arts and crafts. And Lambda Iota Sorority members volunteered at J.M.Hill Elementary School.

In addition, efforts included the collection of new baby items on campus for The Angel’s Closet organization. The committee has extended the deadline for donations through Friday, January 31. New bibs and socks can be dropped off at ESU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs at 96 Normal Street.

Individuals stopped by the Keystone Room where volunteers created no-sew blankets and arm scarves while Dr. King’s famed “I Have a Dream Speech” played in the background. The arm scarves and blankets will be donated to the elderly. However, the organization that will receive the donations has yet to be determined.

“It went really well,” said Cornelia Sewell-Allen, director of multicultural affairs. “We got a lot of students really excited about the arm scarves. They said they wanted to do it again. It was a great starter, and now that we have an idea of what challenges we may face, I think we can expand this event. I already have some ideas of how to get more student groups sponsoring their own activities next year.”