More than 300 Elizabethtown College students participated in the 30th annual Into the Streets community engagement event on Saturday, Oct. 21.

This year’s theme was “Falling Into the Streets,” as students volunteered at more than 10 local organizations to create lasting connections with the surrounding community. Hosted by Etown’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE), the annual day of service introduces Etown students to thoughtful community engagement and provides a learning experience that challenges Blue Jays to volunteer on a regular basis.

“Into the Streets allows Etown to build reciprocal relationships with our surrounding community,” Javita Thompson, Elizabethtown College Director of the CCCE said. “Students gain valuable experiences through their day of service and community partners gain the benefit of having Etown students serve at their organization.”

Into the Streets is just one example of students fulfilling Etown’s Educate for Service motto, which includes community engagement initiatives throughout the academic year, along with fall, winter, and summer break service trips.

The day was divided into two shifts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with on- and off-campus projects available for Blue Jays. In the morning, volunteers were split between the Millersville Migrant Education Center, Girls on the Run, Team River Runner, Habitat for Humanity’s Lancaster build site, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Winters Heritage House Museum, and the Etown Historical Society. In the afternoon, students traveled to Community Cupboard, Juniper Village, the Latino Hispanic American Community Center, and the Spanish-American Civic Association.

Volunteers, including student clubs and organizations, also traveled to the 10th annual Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation and Community Services (GEARS) Fall Fest at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds to interact with children and parents in the local community.

“Into the Streets is a great opportunity to give back to the community,” Social Work major Malik Hudges ’25 said. “I loved seeing the smiles on the faces of kids and families at Fall Fest and seeing Etown students work together to make a better community.”