Spring has finally sprung and at Otterbein that means it's time for community service. Many groups are having sign-ups now for activities. Other groups like Plan-It Eath are ready to get started on previously planned projects. From Otterbein bushes to Otterbein lake, service is springing up all over.
Old Man Winter has finally given way to warmer weather, letting all Otterbein service groups hit the pavement searching for volunteers. Today, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the Campus Center is hosting the Spring Service Extravaganza. It is themed this year on the wonderful world of Willy Wonka. Tables and exhibits will have information on all upcoming service events. Prizes and gifts will be distributed as well.
"We want students to know that they can serve on many different levels," said Melissa Gilbert, director of the Center for Community Engagement (CCE). "You can become a weekly volunteer with one of our 13 weekly programs or you can be a one-time volunteer and participate in events such as the community plunge, or you can take a leadership role and coordinate your own service activities."
CCE organizes three community plunges annually. The Spring Plunge will be held on April 26th. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Campus Center and the event lasts until 12:30 p.m.
Activities include grounds maintenance, as well as mulching and hedge trimming. There will also be indoor service sites where participants can paint.
The Cardinal Corps, a group of 17 students, plan 13 weekly service programs that encourage students to get involved in the community, according to the Otterbein Web site.
America Reads, Club Whittier, Indianola Mentoring Program, Otterbein Animal Coalition, Plan-It Earth, Raise Your Voice, Troop 1847 and United Methodist Children's Home are just a few examples of service oppourtunities
These programs focus on different aspects of service, such as tutoring, mentoring, environmental awareness, animal well-being, civic engagement and community inclusion.
"It really helps you tie in what you're learning in the classroom to experiential things in the community," said Gilbert. "You can get hands-on experience of what you're learning in the classroom and apply it outside in a real-life setting."
Otterbein totaled 38,000 hours of community service during the 2006-2007 academic year.
This quantity of hours earned Otterbein a commendation from the House of Representatives.
"Otterbein College is an amazing place and we are all very lucky to be here," said Joe McDaniels, senior political science and psychology major. "It's our responsibility to give back to those less fortunate and enrich their lives, so that they may one day have the same opportunities we have been given." By Elizabeth Livingston Staff Writer
What would you do with $1,000?
The usual ideas come to mind; shop like you don't care how much you spend, put a down payment on the car you've drooled over since high school, or maybe visit that place you've been planning on getting to one of these days.
Thanks to the Carter Foundation in conjunction with Ohio Campus Compact, Otterbein student Whitney Prose recently faced a similar decision. For her it was a no-brainer.
Prose, along with Otterbein volunteer group Plan-It Earth, submitted a proposal to the Carter Foundation to cover the expense of an environmental project at Otterbein Lake.
The group, formed three years ago by Prose, has been involved in making the lake more bio-diverse.
The $1,000 grant will pay for building materials to construct a limestone walking path off the current bike path and a natural garden complete with identification signs for each different plant.
"We really want Otterbein Lake to be an educational place and experience," said Prose.
The group will be purchasing the materials soon and will start building early spring quarter.
Prose said the motivation behind the group's efforts involves allowing the park-goers who visit the lake more oppourtunity to appreciate nature.
"It's nice, but you don't really interact with nature," Prose said. "Otterbein Lake will be a place where you can stop and reconnect with nature."
Plan-It Earth isn't the only one noticing Otterbein Lake. Otterbein College has also stepped up its involvement.
Kevin Svitana, environmental studies chairperson, said water resource studies are in the works. Svitana will be installing wells, maintaining equipment and measuring water quality and volume.
"This effort will provide the College with a field research area that can be used for both class instruction and student/faculty research," Svitana said. By Rachel Scali News Editort&c;
