JMU Hosts Service Day
October 29, 2018
Event Coincides With Homecoming Weekend
By MEGAN WILLIAMS
Daily News- Record 10/27/18
HARRISONBURG — The James Madison University Alumni Association had to cut off registration for its first Day of Service as part of homecoming weekend festivities.
“We had over 200 people register, which met and exceeded our expectations,” said Sarah Orem, a 2005 graduate and associate director of alumni relations. “We’re hoping to incorporate it into our homecoming activities every year.”
Friday’s JMU Day of Service was open to students, alumni and faculty.
This idea was developed after alumni volunteered at a food pantry while attending the FCS championship football game in Frisco, Texas, in 2017. The turnout was so good it inspired alumni relations to create a JMU Day of Service at their “home field” during the week of homecoming.
Two main activities took place on Friday morning — hygiene bags were put together for homeless people in the area, and dog toys were made for Anicira Veterinary Center.
The JMU Alumni Association, Community Service Learning, and the master of business administration program teamed up with the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for the event.
The goal was to have people give back on campus, as opposed to sending students and alumni into the community, said Laura Toni- Holsinger, executive director of United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
Prior to working on the hygiene bags and dog toys, a presentation was given by United Way about the issues facing local people who are employed and above the poverty line but still struggling to make ends meet, Toni- Holsinger said.
“We wanted everyone to understand what the need is locally and that people who are employed are still struggling,” she said.
A group of deans and professors from the College of Science and Mathematics sat around a table making dog toys on Friday, each donning a T-shirt with their college’s name and logo.
“We thought it would be a good team building opportunity for our office,” said Marcus Davis, associate dean for the integration of teaching and scholarship.” It’s good to hear about community needs and to give back.”
By MEGAN WILLIAMS
Daily News- Record 10/27/18
HARRISONBURG — The James Madison University Alumni Association had to cut off registration for its first Day of Service as part of homecoming weekend festivities.
“We had over 200 people register, which met and exceeded our expectations,” said Sarah Orem, a 2005 graduate and associate director of alumni relations. “We’re hoping to incorporate it into our homecoming activities every year.”
Friday’s JMU Day of Service was open to students, alumni and faculty.
This idea was developed after alumni volunteered at a food pantry while attending the FCS championship football game in Frisco, Texas, in 2017. The turnout was so good it inspired alumni relations to create a JMU Day of Service at their “home field” during the week of homecoming.
Two main activities took place on Friday morning — hygiene bags were put together for homeless people in the area, and dog toys were made for Anicira Veterinary Center.
The JMU Alumni Association, Community Service Learning, and the master of business administration program teamed up with the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for the event.
The goal was to have people give back on campus, as opposed to sending students and alumni into the community, said Laura Toni- Holsinger, executive director of United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
Prior to working on the hygiene bags and dog toys, a presentation was given by United Way about the issues facing local people who are employed and above the poverty line but still struggling to make ends meet, Toni- Holsinger said.
“We wanted everyone to understand what the need is locally and that people who are employed are still struggling,” she said.
A group of deans and professors from the College of Science and Mathematics sat around a table making dog toys on Friday, each donning a T-shirt with their college’s name and logo.
“We thought it would be a good team building opportunity for our office,” said Marcus Davis, associate dean for the integration of teaching and scholarship.” It’s good to hear about community needs and to give back.”
