Student Volunteers Needed for the Largest Single-Day Community Service Event at Colorado State University April 15

Note to Editors: Reporters are welcome to join students from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 15 for any of the CSUnity projects. Photo opportunities include students visiting with older adult residents and assisting with programming at Columbine Care East, 421 Parker St.; students building trails for Larimer County Parks and Open Lands at Pinewood Reservoir; students assisting with horse grooming and care at Mountain States Horse Rescue, 13713 N. County Road 17; and students planting trees at Weber Junior High School, 4201 Seneca St.

Hundreds of Colorado State University students will plunge into the Fort Collins community on April 15 to participate in one of the largest single-day service events in Northern Colorado.

CSUnity 2000 is a project created to strengthen the bridge between Colorado State students and the surrounding community through outreach and volunteer work. Students interested in volunteering for the day should register by April 3 by calling Colorado State’s Office for Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs at 491-1682.

CSUnity is a day filled with hard work and learning as teams of students immerse themselves in projects at more than 50 agencies in Fort Collins and nearby communities. The day begins at 9 a.m. at Allison Hall with check-in, orientation and work projects and concludes at 2 p.m. with pizza and door prizes.

Adam Hallauer, co-coordinator for CSUnity, said that both agencies and students benefit from the community service day. "CSUnity gives students a chance to learn about the community in which they live," he said. "We all come from different places, and Fort Collins becomes our home. This project enriches a student’s life experiences at Colorado State."

Through the project, students address issues of concern to all citizens, including hunger, homelessness and the welfare of animals, children, senior citizens and the environment.

"We all give. We all receive. We all learn and we all teach. That’s what CSUnity is all about," Hallauer said.

Sarah Van Etten, director of operations at the Discovery Center Science Museum, has seen student volunteers in action. "Discovery Center would like to extend its sincere gratitude for CSUnity helping us with the Poudre School District Science Fair," she said. "The fair was a huge success and the projects displayed some incredible science. The volunteers were wonderful to work with and they competently stepped into their roles with enthusiasm. CSUnity deserves nothing but the highest commendation for commitment to the community."

Court Appointed Special Advocate, Inc. of Larimer Country also is served by the CSUnity project. The agency described the students’ contribution last year: "The eight students who came out Saturday as part of CSUnity Day were great. Our porch is painted, our picnic tables stained and our toys cleaned–all very helpful projects. Please know we do appreciate all the hard work that went into the organization of this project. Pass on a thank you to the students from us. A job well done!"

CSUnity, in its fourth year, is run through the Office for Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs at Colorado State. The project was founded in 1996 by the president of the Associated Students of Colorado State University, a graduate student and groups of students from various campus organizations. The first year, 85 students, faculty and staff participated. Last year saw a huge increase with 400 participants preregistered.

"This program bridges the gap between the campus and the community but also serves students who want to be a part of something that reaches everyone," said Jennifer Lyons, a third-time participant and senior at Colorado State.

For more information about the CSUnity program or the sites, contact Mary Golden or Adam Hallauer at 491-1682.