The Concord University community is answering Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s call to volunteer with Day to Serve projects.
The Governor has encouraged all West Virginians to organize projects and volunteer at least one day between Sept. 15and Sept. 29 as part of Day to Serve, the second annual effort to strengthen communities through volunteer service.
Concord University Upward Bound Program students and staff are serving through Operation “Upward Bound Cares.” They are collecting dog and cat food for animal shelters in Greenbrier, Mercer and McDowell counties. Upward Bound will also be distributing greeting cards at area hospitals and nursing facilities and taking new children’s books to children in local hospitals.
Concord Upward Bound Director Pamela D. McPeak said 150 high school students from five southern West Virginia counties are participating. Schools represented include: James Monroe, Greenbrier East, Greenbrier West, Summers County, Bluefield, Princeton, PikeView, Montcalm, River View and Mount View.
She said that along with these students from Concord’s service area, additional Upward Bound groups from across the state have been invited to participate.
McPeak said donations of pet food and new children’s books along with “thinking of you” and “get well” cards will be accepted at the Upward Bound office in the Marsh House through Sept. 27. For more information contact McPeak at mcpeakpd@concord.edu or 304-301-4505.
Students in Concord’s UNIV 100 are sending letters and handmade cards to children who are ill and their families in conjunction with the Hugs & Hope charity.
“By the students making cards for these children, they will brighten their day and hopefully make them smile,” Stephanie Harper, UNIV 100 project coordinator, said. “That is our goal, to make people smile and to make their days a little better.”
Harper invites the entire campus and surrounding community to get involved. The UNIV 100 students will be creating the cards and letters on Sept. 26 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Subway Sides in the Student Center on the Athens campus. For more information email volunteer@concord.edu or call 304-384-6023.
Concord’s Beckley campus at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center (HEC) is also involved in Day to Serve projects.
On Thursday Sept. 19, students will help The United Way of Southern WV decorate the Raleigh County Convention Center for the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser. Beckley students will also assist during the event that is part of the United Way’s fall campaign on Friday, Sept. 20 and with dismantling decorations the following day.
CU students will support the Beckley Dream Center’s food distribution by packing boxes on Friday, Sept. 20 and serving hot food on Saturday, Sept. 21. This organization provides a food box, hot meals, clothing and baby items to persons in need each month.
UNIV 100 students in Beckley are offering support to Operation Underdog, an animal advocacy group in southern West Virginia. On Sunday, Sept. 22 they are volunteering at the Beckley Tractor Supply in support of this organization that is dedicated to rescuing unwanted animals and educating the public on pet overpopulation.
Concord student Cassandra Highfield is sponsoring a World Vision hygiene products drive through Sept. 27. Plastic tubs are located in the lobby of the HEC to collect the products that will be distributed by this agency following disasters.
More than 30 CU students will support The School of Harmony’s Creative Kid’s Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28. They will work craft and invention booths and demonstrate projects in support of this day that is expected to reach hundreds of local children and their families.
For more information on Day to Serve projects on CU’s Beckley campus, contact Lori Pace, sociology instructor and Student Services coordinator, at lpace@concord.edu or 304-252-0270.
Concord University’s Veterans Club, SAC, and WVCU Radio are hosting “The Run for Heroes,” a motorcycle poker-run and 5K Run obstacle course on Saturday, Sept. 21to benefit the Veteran’s Support Fund. The event will take place on Concord’s Athens campus.
The Veteran’s Support Fund bridges the gap between the costs of college for military veterans, from textbooks to school supplies.
Prizes will be given for “Best Hand” and “Worst Hand.” Five stations will be set up along the course that spans Summers, Raleigh, and Mercer counties. Live music from the Tommy C. Blues Band, southern-style BBQ, prizes, and a Stunt Army bike show will also be part of the event.
Student Activities Director Andrew Sulgit says, “We want to invite anyone who is supportive of our veterans to come out and enjoy the day, and participate…whether it’s on two wheels or two feet, come be a part of this new tradition in southern West Virginia.”
The poker run will start at 9 a.m. and the 5K race begins at 12 noon. Registration prices are $20 for runners, $30 for riders, and $45 2-Up. The registration fee will include a free event t-shirt. To register and for more information visit www.concord.edu/runforheroes or contact Andrew Sulgit at 304-384-5311.
