Penn State New Kensington students stuff envelopes for the campus' THON team efforts during the Week of Service events in September.
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. – Penn State New Kensington students, staff and faculty completed seven service projects in six days, making an impact on the local Alle-Kiski region and beyond. Between Sept. 10 and 15, the various on-campus and off-campus projects totaled to more than 200 hours of service completed by more than 50 members of the campus community.
“We’re just looking to make the biggest impact we can on our community,” said Michele Marcks, assistant director of student affairs.
Projects during the week included kicking off a month-long food drive to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank; folding flags that were sent to active military members stationed overseas; stuffing envelopes for this year’s campus THON efforts; making tug toys for the Animal Protectors animal shelter in New Kensington; completed landscaping projects at the shelter; and participating in the “Rocking for Residents” event at Vincentian Senior Citizens Home.
A United Way Day of Caring volunteer sign in front of a volunteer team of faculty and staff members from Penn State New Kensington. The campus team spent the annual Day of Caring painting a hospitality building at Northmoreland Park in Apollo, Pa. The event also coincided with the campus' Week of Service event.
The week’s events also coincided with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Day of Caring on Sept. 14. For the past five years, a team of staff and faculty from the campus participate in the Day of Caring to help local organizations. This year, the team ventured to Apollo, Pennsylvania, and painted a hospitality facility at Northmoreland Park, part of the Westmoreland County Parks system. Past Day of Caring activities included painting projects at the Valley Points Family YMCA in New Kensington, book cleaning at People’s Library in New Kensington and exterior painting at the Westmoreland County Food Bank Warehouse in Delmont.
While all the projects during the week were impactful, Marcks said one moment, in particular, stood out to her.
“On Sept. 11, we did flag folding,” explained Marks. “They were mini flags that were also being sent with a note for soldiers overseas. At least three of our veteran students came by and said how meaningful projects like that were to those in the service, and then they joined in helping and writing notes. It was one of those moments where you could observe something full circle.”
Marks hopes the students who helped complete the multiple projects know that there is more to being a college student outside of class.
“I hope that giving back to others and taking a moment out of their busy days to do something for someone else really helped them reflect and see that they can have a difference in their communities and abroad,” said Marcks.
Although the Week of Service has ended, that doesn’t mean service projects are complete for the year. Marcks is looking forward to Penn State New Kensington hosting other Penn State campuses from western Pennsylvania for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in January.
“Instead of a day off, we make it a day on for service,” said Marks. “This year, our campus is hosting, and we’ll be able to help in the local New Kensington community.”
If students are interested in participating in service projects or other activities, they can visit the Student Life office on campus to learn more. They can also reach out to Marks by emailing her at [email protected].
Penn State New Kensington students, faculty and staff completed seven community service projects in six days during the campus' Week of Service in September. Projects included stuffing envelopes for the campus THON efforts, flag folding and notes for military members, landscaping at a local animal shelter, making dog toys for animals at Animal Protectors in New Kensington, participating in Vincentian Senior Citizen Home's "Rocking for Residents," and painting a hospitality building at Northmoreland Park.
Penn State New Kensington students stuff envelopes for the campus' THON team efforts during the Week of Service events in September.
Jake Boney, student at Penn State New Kensington, folds American flags during the campus' Week of Service on Sept. 11. The flags were sent, along with notes, to members of the military stationed overseas.
A folded American Flag sits next to a note. The flag-folding project was part of Penn State New Kensington's Week of Service in September. Students folded the flags on Sept. 11, and sent them, along with notes, to military members stationed overseas.
Penn State New Kensington students Mitchell Ray, left, and Jessica Kurtz, right, make dog toys from recycled shirts. The project was part of the campus' Week of Service event in September. The finished toys were delivered to Animal Protectors, an animal shelter in New Kensington.
Kary Milan, director of Development and Alumni Relations, left, and Rebecca Dietrich, multimedia specialist, joined other Penn State New Kensington staff and faculty members for the annual United Way Day of Caring on Sept. 14. The campus team spent the day painting a hospitality center at Northmoreland Park in Apollo, Pa. The Day of Caring was also part of the campus' Week of Service.
Penn State New Kensington staff and faculty members participated in the annual United Way Day of Caring on Sept. 14. The campus team spent the day painting a hospitality center at Northmoreland Park in Apollo, Pa. The Day of Caring was also part of the campus' Week of Service. Participating campus members included: Adam Robinson, learning center coordinator; Ashley Traini, financial aid coordinator; Kerrie Coleman, assistant teaching professor in nursing; Rebecca Dietrich, multimedia specialist; Corinne Coulson, manager of strategic communications and marketing; Kary Milan, director of development and alumni relations; and Jason Bush, director of business and finance.
Penn State New Kensington students and staff helped clear and beautify landscaping at Animal Protectors in New Kensington. The project was part of the campus' Week of Service in September. Pictured, left to right: Sarah Hallman, graduate assistant in the Office of Student Affairs; Gabi Kriley; and Bradyn Claycomb.
The Penn State Nittany Lion spends time with residents at the Vincentian Senior Citizens Home during the "Rocking for Residents" event. The event was part of Penn State New Kensington's Week of Service in September.
