As part of Into the Streets, students take part in projects such as cleaning up parks and playgrounds.
Blue Jays are “flying into the streets” this Saturday, Oct. 26, as they celebrate the 20th annual Into the Streets event. From raking leaves to volunteering at food banks, students will exemplify the College’s motto “Educate for Service” as they embark on various service projects throughout the local community.
Into the Streets is sponsored by the College’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement but, for the most part, it is student run. This year, senior Emily Gockley and junior Jessica Leidy share the duties of head coordinators for the event. “Simply put, [Into the Streets] is the motto in action,” Leidy said of why she originally decided to help plan the event. “It was seeing students help the community that sparked my interest.”
It’s a powerful statement to see a large group of students show the good intentions of the College.”
Organization of this year’s event began in November 2012 when the theme, coordinators and date were selected. “This year’s theme, ‘Flying into the Streets,’ was chosen because of its connection to the Blue Jay. Since it’s the 20th anniversary we wanted it directly tied into E-town,” Gockley said. A rally was held Friday, Oct.11, in the KAV to build anticipation and participation for the event.
E-town is one of the many colleges throughout the nation that holds annual Into the Streets events. The day of service began in 1994, when 77 representatives from national non-profit institutions, service agencies, student community service programs, colleges and universities shared the idea of a call to action. At its E-town initiation, Into the Streets was run by Shirley Deichert who, at the time, was director of the community service office. Over the years, the event has grown to include around 650 student, faculty and staff participants.
In celebration of two decades of service, E-town’s Into the Streets will incorporate three large projects this year — working with Global Aid Network, Central PA Food Bank and Elizabethtown Borough. “We’re really excited about the three large projects and are hoping to get at least 100 people for each” Gockley said. “It’s a powerful statement to see a large group of students show the good intentions of the College.”
The service does not stop at E-town, however. Three alumni chapters in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are hosting satellite events occurring simultaneously with the E-town events. The idea for an alumni satellite event originated in 2010 when leadership from the Philadelphia alumni chapter thought it would be a unique way to connect with the campus community. Since then, Baltimore and Pittsburgh alumni chapters have joined forces and are hosting their own satellite events. “This is a great way to lift up ‘Educate for Service’ as a continuing theme that you don’t forget about, or that ceases to exist when you leave E-town,” said Mark Clapper director of Alumni Relations. This year, Philadelphia is partnering with Philabundance—one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the region. Baltimore is volunteering with Maryland Foodbank, and Pittsburgh is collaborating with Downtown Cares—a beautification organization.
“It’s a great way to let the community know that E-town students want to be involved in the community—that we care,” said Gockley. Wherever they fly, Blue Jays everywhere epitomize the College’s motto “Educate for Service.” While students may physically leave E-town, the Blue Jays spirit never leaves students. Another year, another tradition and another time to give back.