More than 400 West Virginia State University (WVSU) students, staff, faculty and alumni spent Saturday, April 26 giving back to the Kanawha Valley through the University’s annual Cares Day.
This day of community service in Kanawha and Putnam counties saw volunteer work teams fan out to more than 30 work sites in the area.
Volunteers performed a variety of different types of activities including:
caring for animals and painting cages at the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association; planting flowers in support of a community gardening project at the Governor’s Mansion; painting and organizing shelving at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore; and clean-up work in the swimming pool area at Coonskin Park.
In addition, the Yellow Jackets football team and women’s tennis team held free clinics for area children on Saturday on WVSU’s Institute campus.
“I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves today and worked diligently to improve the lives of our fellow Kanawha Valley residents,” said WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill. “WVSU has a tradition of service and I am proud our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends continue with this heartfelt tradition.”
At the conclusion of Cares Day, volunteers returned to campus where they could watch a softball double header against Concord University as well as the spring Black & Gold scrimmage football game. Volunteers were also treated to a barbecue meal outside of the Wilson University Union at WVSU.
