“Into
the Streets,” sponsored by Appalachian and Community Together
(A.C.T.), requires students to complete a service project for the
Homecoming competition.
University Funded Organizations, Greek organizations, Resident Student
Associations and clubs are all eligible to participate in the Homecoming
competition, in which points are obtained through the banner, the
float and the service project.
The “Into the Streets” projects were to be completed anytime
between Oct. 1 and Oct. 16. Each group was required to have either
25 percent of their group take part in the service or five members,
whichever number was greater.
Historically, 100 points were awarded for the actual completion
of the project. This year however, the completion of the project
was only 50 points. Fifty additional points were awarded if the
IMPACT team was invited to come to the participating group and give
about a 20-minute reflection session.
IMPACT is a group of students out of the A.C.T. office who are trained
in giving presentations about service, facilitating discussions
and leading reflections.
The purpose of requiring the IMPACT team to lead a reflection was
so those participating would not just complete a service project
for the competition and then be finished. IMPACT offered a chance
for students to reflect on the time they put in and the service
they completed and make it more meaningful.
“A lot of students have come to me and said they walked away
from the experience with a better understanding of the importance
of service,” said Jenny Koehn, Community Service Coordinator.
Some organizations are solely based on service. However, those organizations
that do not normally involve themselves in service projects find
it beneficial.
It may be noted the service that groups do for “Into the Streets”
has opened doors for further participation in service projects after
“Into the Streets,” Koehn said.
Overall, 28 groups out of the 80 that took part in the Homecoming
events received points for completing a service project and the
reflection.
Ten groups just failed to turn in the forms that validated the service
they took part in. About one-third took part in the reflections.
Some of the service projects that groups took part in included O.A.S.I.S.,
Hospitality House, the Hunger Coalition, Adopt-A-Street, the Humane
Society and Shelter Rock.
Residence halls did their part by holding a canned food drive. Each
hall had to collect 100 cans to receive 50 points.
Circle K went to Mountain Mission Farms, an environmentally sound
farm working to become solar powered. From de-nailing boards to
moving metal poles to working on an assembly line, Circle K had
their fair share of manual labor.
“The project required a lot of teamwork, as a result it was
a great bonding experience. This was one of the best service projects
I have ever done,” said Lauren A. Grant, a sophomore clothing
and textiles major.
The Treble Choir visited with residents at Appalachian Brian Estates.
After singing to the residents they spent the rest of the day socializing
with them.
“It was a very rewarding experience,” said Jennifer G.
Rhyne, a junior marketing major.
Student Government Association went to Shelter Rock , a local relief
organization for the impoverished. The organization collects clothes,
food and household materials and donates them to those in need.
Shelter Rock also offers a Christian ministry.
SGA mainly performed mission work and helped to organize all the
materials Shelter Rock collects and donates. They also helped sort
boxes and clean the facility.
“We did a reflection while we were there. The main thing we
got out of it was the leadership experience and the teamwork because
we were all put in groups. It was a great experience because we
were able to be more physical rather than monetary,” said Ryan
M. Eller, a junior political science major and SGA president.
All clubs and organizations that participated made a notable and
visible difference.
The Appalachian Ambassadors held the “Chancellor for a Day”
canned food drive, collecting over 2,600 cans. The cans were donated
by various individuals, clubs and organizations.
Ambassadors then donated the cans to the Hunger Coalition, making
the largest donation of the year.
“They said that we donated enough to feed people for three
weeks and that is for people in three counties,” said Samuel
S. Bostian, a junior marketing major.
The food will go to people in Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties.
“’Into the Streets’ service helps to get clubs and
organizations out into the community, but the hope is that the service
will extend beyond that,” Koehn said. |
