Alternative Spring Break: Generous Gardens Project

This past Spring Break proved to be an educational and influential adventure for the eight Eastern students who participated in the Alternative Spring Break: Generous Gardens Project in Greenville, South Carolina. The Generous Gardens Project is a nonprofit organization that grows, harvests, and delivers fresh food, as a healthy alternative to canned and boxed food, to people who are in need. They also educate individuals on how to create and maintain fresh produce gardens in a sustainable way. South Carolina is ranked ninth in the highest population of hungry people in the United States. Hunger is a very real and significant issue in our world today and the Generous Garden Project works to end the struggle of hunger in the healthiest way possible. "It is a known fact that if people get fresh fruits and veggies in their diet, they think more clearly, have more energy and live more fruitful lives. We are here to fight hunger one garden at a time."

The students drove 11 hours down to Trinity Church in Travelers Rest, South Carolina where they resided for the week. Everyday from 8am until about 3:30pm the volunteers worked hard planting seeds, making compostable flower pots, making garden beds and laying down leaves, feeding chickens and gather their eggs, sifting through compost, making labels for plants, and harvesting lettuce. Students learned the ins and outs of gardening and volunteering at a community based garden. The volunteers were able to incorporate the fresh produce from the gardens into their daily meals, which was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip for most of the volunteers. This spring break, however, was not all work and no play, one day was spent exploring the city of Greenville, hiking through Paris Mountain and dining at a local Hibachi. 

Student Leader Lily Egan commented on her experience at the Generous Gardens Project: "I would never have imagined doing anything else during this spring break. It was truly an honor to be able to work with such open-minded and hard working people. On thing I learned through working at the Generous Gardens Project was that in order to grow you must learn, and in order to learn you must be willing to grow, just like in college and just like a plant."

Habitat for Humanity

Last week I had the opportunity to talk to Jessica Wagner, the Public Relations officer of the ECSU Habitat for Humanity club. Jessica is only a freshman at Eastern this year, but she believes so much in the mission of Habitat for Humanity, that she was made the PR officer earlier in the semester and has become really involved in the activities that the club participates in.

The mission statement of the ECSU Habitat for Humanity Club is as followed: “To increase awareness of sub-standard housing on campus and in the community. We also help to eradicate this issue with Windham and New London affiliate. Members can benefit from Gaining Community Service Hours, Learning Construction Skills, Traveling Around the Country, Enhancing Their Resume, Meeting New Friends, Getting More Involved In The University’s Community and Helping Families Get Out of Poverty Housing” (http://www.easternct.edu/studentactivities/clubs_orgs/habitat.htm).

Jessica told me a lot about the two big events that Habitat is putting on during Eastern’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 18-23).

The first event, an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, is going to be on Monday, November 18. People Helping People (PHP) is also helping out with the event. If you have never been to a Hunger Banquet, then I would definitely encourage you to attend this event. The premise of the Hunger Banquet is better left a surprise, but what I can tell you is to go to Niejadlik Hall at 7pm and come hungry.

 The second event, the annual Shack-A-Thon, is going to be from November 19^th-20^th on Webb Lawn. At this event you can “see your fellow ECSU students live and sleep in boxes for 30 hours straight to help raise awareness for substandard housing.” Habitat club members raise $100 to sleep in boxes for a night on campus. The money goes to the Windham Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Curious about how you can become a Habitat for Humanity Club Member? You can attend their meetings on Mondays at 7:30pm in Room 219 in the Student Center. If you want to find out more about their club you can e-mail them at habitatforhumanity@my.easternct.edu. You can also like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter @ECSUHabitat.

I asked Jessica why she thought Eastern Students should get involved in Habitat. She said that is was a “good way to meet new people, you get to go to different places and it is a great way to help in the community.”

~Nicolle Hill, CCE Intern

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Social Work Club and the Adopt a Family Project

Eastern Connecticut State University has some pretty amazing clubs who do some awesome things for the community. For example, the Social Work Club has been working on the Adopt a Family Project for the second year in a row. Chaneil Beckford, President of the Social Work Club, gives a description of what the
Adopt a Family Project is. 

Social Work Club Adopt a family Project

Last Year the former Social Work club President Judy-ann McDuffus thought it would be helpful to offer our services and time by giving back to the community by adopting a family. Last year was the first time our club got involved with Windham Area Inter Faith Ministries Adopt a family project, intended to help low income families experience and enjoy a Christmas.

We had over ten fundraisers and did over 121 hours of fundraising and we were able to make over $800 in which used to help five local families. We asked for donations and held several bakes sales to allocate the money, we were able to purchase thirty gifts for the five families including; toys, blankets, infant clothing, scarf and Wal-Mart gift cards for food.

This year we would like to continue to extend our assistance to other families and work towards helping them to also enjoy Christmas with our dedication and effort. It was truly a rewarding experience the first time we helped families that we felt pleased to help again this year.

We have already begun the bake sale fundraisers and we have been requesting other forms of donations, we intend to deliver the gift to the families on December 6^th 2013.
This year we hope to not only provide these families with gifts we would like to provide them with hope, that there still are people willing and motivated to make a difference in their lives.

-Chaneil Beckford

Social Work Club President

Club Members wrapping the gifts for delivery

To learn more about the Windham Area Inter Faith Ministries (WAIM) and their Adopt a Family Program, you can visit their website at: http://waimct.org/programs-draft/seasonal-programs/adopt-a-family.

Make sure you stop by the bake sale fundraisers that the Social Work club is holding this semester to donate or just to say hi and check out what their club is all about!

"The ones who are crazy enough think they can change the world are the ones that do." ~Gandhi

We are half way through September! I am sure by now you have come across your first paper to write, your first quiz to take, maybe even your first exam to study for.

Before you start making a to-do list of everything you have to catch up on, take a moment to think about what you are passionate about. Why are you majoring in that particular field of study? What is it that you love to do?

The Center for Community Engagement is here to provide ways for you to use your passions to help others. You can find some amazing community programs and special events happening this semester by visiting the CCE website www.eaternct.edu/communityengagement or visiting the CCE at its new location, 333 Prospect Street.

This week, there will also be an opportunity for you to talk to CCE staff and community members in person. Where you ask? At the...

Student Activities and Community Service Fair, Webb Lawn

Wednesday, September 18th from 5-7pm

This is an event you don't want to miss! If you are unsure about how you want to get involved or even what event/program to take part in, this is the place to be.

So before you plan out your week, make sure you mark this event in your planner, your smart phone or iCalendar. We look forward to meeting all of you and hearing all about what you want to accomplish this semester!

 

How to Choose the Right Nonprofit to Support

Choosing the right kind of nonprofit to give a donation to can be a little overwhelming. You want your money to go to good use. There are many great programs, services, and leaders out there, but there are also scams and, unfortunately, nonprofits that mismanage their money. 

So, to help you wade through the murky waters of giving a meaningful donation, here are some useful tips and the websites where we found them!

1. Clarify your beliefs and preferences (http://bit.ly/13TzfQQ)

• Do this before you open your checkbook, volunteer your time, or look at that letter from a charity

• Think about what matters most to you. The environment? Education? Hunger? Animal welfare? Helping sick children? Economic development?

• Think about where you want to make an impact. In your neighborhood? Region? The nation? Internationally?

• Ask yourself if you want to support a large or small charity, a new or an old one.

2. Make sure the charity is legitimate (http://nbcnews.to/1bpGcuK)

• The Internal Revenue Service maintains a list of all organizations registered as charities. Also check with your state’s attorney general or charities bureau, which is responsible for policing charities within the state and can provide a wealth of information about them. Don’t know your state’s charity regulator? Go towww.nasconet.org, a national association of state charity officers, to find yours. 

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions (http://nbcnews.to/1bpGcuK)

• Charities are required to provide information about their programs and expenses. Start with these questions: How will my gift be spent? How many people did you help last year? In what way? If you don’t get adequate answers, don’t give anything. 

4. You Don't Have To Give A Lot at Once (http://onforb.es/17kkOE6)

• If you believe in a cause, you don’t have to limit your giving to the dollars you can spare right now. Consider getting into the charitable habit by making small regular donations throughout the year, just as you make regular contributions to your 401(k) or other saving accounts.

5. Make sure mission aligns with your vision. (http://bit.ly/13TzfQQ)

• Look at a charity's description on GuideStar, on its Web site, in its literature, or on Charting Impact.