U of G Reaches Out to Community Through Project Serve
September 19, 2006 - News Release
More than 400 University of Guelph students, faculty and staff will head into the community Sept. 30 to volunteer at some 30 local agencies as part of the University's ninth annual Project Serve day.
“Project Serve is an excellent introduction for students to learn about real needs in the Guelph community,” said Christine Victorino, co-ordinator, citizenship and community engagement, in Student Life. “Oftentimes, Project Serve is a springboard for ongoing and lifelong commitment to public service and active citizenship.”
Project Serve was initiated in 1997 to introduce students to community involvement and volunteerism. The program received national recognition with the 2001 Program of the Year Award from the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.
Working with teams of five to 15, Project Serve participants will spend a half day doing various jobs from environmental cleanup to sorting food at non-profit agencies that address social, environmental, health and animal welfare issues. Participating agencies include the Guelph Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Ignatius Jesuit Centre and Women in Crisis. Each volunteer group is headed by a team leader who is a senior student, faculty member or staff member.
At 12:30 p.m., volunteers will return to campus to have lunch and talk about their experience.
The registration deadline is Sept. 22. For more information, contact Victorino at 519- 824-4120, Ext. 52782, or cvictor@uoguelph.ca.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519- 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, Ext. 56982.
