UNCA Introduces New Students to Community Service August 18;
Hundreds of Students to Work at 33 Sites
UNC Asheville continues its tradition of initiating all new students
into the culture of community service through a massive community work day
Monday, Aug. 18. This seventh annual "Bulldog Day: A Time of
Service" will send some 700 people to 33 service projects in the
Asheville community to perform more than a total of 1,400 hours of
community service.
Coordinated by UNCA’s Key Center for Service-Learning, the community
service day is an important part of a four-day new freshman orientation
program that begins Saturday, Aug. 16.
"Bulldog Day is a great way to introduce our new freshmen to the
Asheville community and it’s also an opportunity for students, faculty
and staff to meet and work on common goals," said Lloyd Weinberg, Key
Center associate director.
UNCA junior Molly Murtola liked Bulldog Day so much that she is serving
as student coordinator this year. "Bulldog Day was an extraordinary
way to begin my journey at UNCA. Service, community, fellowship, fun and
making a difference are all aspects of this time of service," said
Murtola. "I knew after my Bulldog Day experience that UNCA was the
right place for me."
Some 615 new students, members of UNCA’s largest freshman class, and
85 faculty and staff will take on a wide range of projects. Teams will
assist with building and grounds maintenance at the YWCA, work with
students at Dickson Elementary and sort food donations and help the YMI
prepare for the Goombay Festival.
Other UNCA teams will lend a hand to ABCCM, Asheville Pre-School,
Asheville Recreation Department, Asheville Humane Society, Bountiful
Cities Project, Brooks Howell Home, Highland Repertory Theatre, Hillcrest
Head Start, Irene Wortham Center, Lewis Rathburn Center, Laurel Crest,
Quality Forward, UNCA Campus Ministries Peace Garden, VA Hospital,
Vanderbilt Apartments and Asheville High, Claxton Elementary, Emma
Elementary, Hall Fletcher Elementary, Johnston Elementary, Jones Primary,
and Vance Elementary schools.
Hall Fletcher Elementary is a regular Bulldog Day work site. This year
UNCA students will accompany students to the Asheville Art Museum to
participate in an art and math program that teaches children to approach
these subjects in new ways. UNCA students will also work in the first
grade classroom, work individually with second graders on math and
reading, and conduct learning stations for third-fifth graders to
investigate the insect world.
"Bulldog Day is very important for our students," said Fran
Roberts, Hall Fletcher Elementary school counselor and volunteer
coordinator. "It stimulates our students’ thinking, exposes them to
new learning and starts them thinking about college. Most of all, the kids
love the personal interaction"
Many UNCA students who volunteer for Bulldog Day or other classroom
projects often come back and volunteer at the school again, said Roberts.
Bulldog Day begins at 9 a.m. on the UNCA quad, where Chancellor James
Mullen will speak to the service teams. Then the students and leaders will
board buses, vans and cars for transport to their projects. Teams will
return to campus at noon for lunch together in the Dining Hall and frozen
dessert donated by Kamm’s Custard Shops.
Media Contacts:
- Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676 or
pager: 257-5501
- Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526
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