Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
September 12, 2001
U of G students, faculty set out to help community
Several hundred University of Guelph students, staff and faculty, along with some high school students, will be heading into the Guelph community Saturday, Sept. 22, to volunteer at more than 20 local agencies as part of the University's award-winning "Project Serve."
Now in its fourth year, Project Serve was initiated by U of G's citizenship education program to introduce students to community service. Project Serve was recently named 2001 “Program of the Year” by the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services. “This prestigious national award is recognition of the strong sense of community here on campus and our strong links to the community around us,” said Cheryl Rose, co-ordinator of U of G’s peer helper program and citizenship education, and leadership, service and involvement Programs.
Working in teams of eight, Project Serve participants will spend several hours doing everything from cleaning conservation areas and helping out at the Humane Society to delivering meals and sorting food at local food banks. Each team will be headed by a team leader who is a senior student, faculty member or staff person.
“Project Serve is a beloved program on our campus not only because of its fun and educational atmosphere, but also because it provides an opportunity to give back to our community,” said student Mike Stephenson, who will work as a team leader again this year. “For a student attending university, community can be easily forgotten. Project Serve reminds all of us that the community is there and that we can and should have a significant impact within it.” Buses will depart for project sites at 9 a.m. from the University Centre. Participating agencies include St. Joseph's Hospital, Guelph Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, the Welcome In Drop-In Centre, the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, the Hanlon Creek Rehabilitation Project, and Centre Wellington Resource Group, The Distress Centre, Women in Crisis, Humane Society and Nature Conservancy of Canada.
After volunteering the students will return to campus to have lunch and talk about the experience. United Way Community Services of Guelph-Wellington, Student Volunteer Connections and Elliot Coach Lines are all official sponsors of Project Serve 2001.
For media questions, contact:
Communications and Public Affairs,
(519) 824-4120, Ext. 3338.
