Eastern Connecticut State University held it's eighth annual Day of Giving at Hurley Hall dinner. Hurley was filled with hungry people, and volunteers to help with the dinner before the day of Thanks Giving. Transportation was provided by the Center of Community Engagement (CCE).
"This is our eighth Day of Giving. It is a community meal that is a great collaboration between many partners at Eastern," Kimberly Silcox, Director of the Center of Community Engagement
Student volunteers who were traveling far from the holiday were asked to opt out of volunteering this year, so they wont have to drive home in the snow, though students who live locally were welcomed to stay. "This year is a little different because of the weather. We had to move it up and we sent all of the students home last night so they won't have to drive in bad weather," Silcox said. Usually 50-60 students and 300 to 400 community members come to participate each year. Despite the weather, the people who helped stayed strong.
"
I think it's a really great cause and I see a lot of people from the community who get to come out here and enjoy it together" Kaitlyn Murphy, Eastern Student
Student musicians play live music each year. This year was student duo, Max Robinson and Eva Alfonso.
There were also fresh pairs of socks available for anybody who wanted them, from Chartwell's Safety Shoe Program.
"We put all of the socks together and we're giving them away to people who want fresh, warm socks," Jason Coombs, Director of Chartwells Dinning Services
Community members who sat down for their Thanksgiving meal said they had a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. "This is my first time," said Leonard Maxwell as he sat with a group of friends. Maxwell said he was thankful for "all of us being together." Andy Eggen said he was thankful for his mom, dad and "living good," while April Waite, who was with her two children as well as a friend, said she was thankful for her family and job. Waite's daughter, Symarie Edwards, said she was thankful for her family and her home.
The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry hosted Walk for Warmth, marathon to raise poverty awareness. The Center of Community Engagement volunteered to help set up the walk by placing posters around the town of Willimantic about poverty facts. After the mass at St. Josephs, and the walk, The CCE set up a children's activities table with coloring books and making turkey masks. Victoria Nimirowski , the director of WAIM, said that the Walk for Warmth raised $42,000, which she said it was the biggest year in 23 years of the walk.
"We
are very grateful to Eastern, and to the Center for Community
Engagement
for all the help and support they provide for this event. The students
are wonderful to work with, and are always so willing to do whatever is
needed". Victoria Nimirowski, Director of Windham Area Interfaith Ministry