Kent State to host second annual Day of Service

Jada Miles

Community Engaged Learning is hosting Kent State’s 2nd annual Day of Service on Friday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is an opportunity for all Kent State community members to come together and celebrate Kent State by building on our engaged partnerships in the community and making a difference collectively,” said Craig Berger, the assistant director of Community Engaged Learning.

According to Berger, there will be multiple projects on Friday in the Kent, Akron and Ravenna areas.

Berger said there are nearly 300 people signed up for the event, but there are open spots still to volunteer.

1.) Kent Police Department: Washing Kent police vehicles

This event serves as a way for students to help out local officers and get to know the department some more.

Volunteers can sign up to help from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.

2.) Main Street Kent: Clean up Kent

Volunteers will help clean up graffiti in downtown Kent from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

3.) United Way Literacy Kits

Volunteers will help the United Way of Portage county create literacy kits for 650 kindergartners from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

4.) Spring Cleaning at Kentway

Volunteers will help spring clean at Kentway apartments, a low-income housing facility for senior citizens, from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.

5.) Circle K: Making Cards for Akron Children’s Hospital

Volunteers will join Circle K, a community service and volunteerism organization, in making cards for children from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.

6.) Haven of Rest: Serving Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Haven of Rest is a non-profit social organization that serves disadvantaged people in the Akron area. They have multiple programs which includes providing food, shelter and more. Volunteers will help from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Rafiat Koiki, a sophomore political science major, is excited to be able to interact with others at the Haven of Rest.

“Just talking to them is really what makes my day,” Koiki said.

7.) Akron-Canton Foodbank Packing and Sorting Food

Volunteers will be sorting, inspecting, relabeling and repackaging food from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The Akron-Canton Food Bank is a really strong partner of ours,” said Berger. “So, it’s always a really great experience for volunteers.”

8.) Knitting for those in Need

Knitting for those in Need is a charitable organization that focuses on knitting to provide create healthy and safe items for those in need. This will be held from 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.

9.) Landscaping and Debris Removal at Morgan Park

Volunteers will be able to help clean up a local park from 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.

10.) Upper Room Ministries: Organizing for Dedication Service

Volunteers will help Upper Room Ministries in Ravenna organize and decorate for its dedication service from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit their website here.

Jada Miles is the student life reporter. Contact her at [email protected]