We may be a small college but the service projects we are involved in are quite large. Student Alumni Council recently celebrated Autism Awareness day where we lit up the archway of Tompkins Hall, an upperclassman dorm, blue and decorated with streamers and balloons. It caught everyone’s attention, not just because it was a foreign color to our purple bubble. Our photo won “Best Use of Decorations” through the national Autism Speaks U contest!
Yesterday, with Circle K, the collegiate chapter of Kiwanis, I lead a group of students back to Owego, New York to take part in Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of service. Our club partnered with the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, a local organization that aides youth giving back, to clean up the area and recognize the work of those that have given up their time to help the community recover from the tragic floods that hit a month and a half ago. We raked leaves, picked up trash, cleaned the historic community fountain, and set the food up for the day. It was nice to recognize the community members for their dedication with certificates and ice cream : ) It was amazing and inspiring to see the number of young people who have volunteered. There were college students like us, high school students, middle school students, and even elementary school students. It just shows how easy people of any age can get involved. Especially with the hard times Owego and many other areas are facing, it was refreshing to let the community know that their good deeds have not gone unnoticed.
