Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, October 18, 2021
Volume 105 Issue 3
Photos by Cam Alsbrook
Civic Refresh: On Oct. 1, The Office of Campus Life hosted “Day in the Park”, a volunteer event for student organizations — and students by themselves — to help with park upkeep across town. This year, the event focused on Elmer Thomas Park, retouching paint and throwing away trash.
Cleaning up Elmer Thomas: Cameron’s ‘Day in the Park’ By Cam Alsbrook
they received, but he thinks there were less volunteers this time than before, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “However, we didn’t let that stop us,” McFadden said. “We were able to set realistic expectations and projects to complete, which is exactly what we did.” Black Student Association Vice President Akilah Charles said that she loved
The Black Student Association was one of Managing Editor a few groups assigned to On Oct. 1, Cameron paint bridges across the student organization park. volunteers and Office of Campus Life unaffiliated volunteers Administrative Assistant helped clean and repaint Alannah Young said that Elmer Thomas Park, as she loves to help with part of the Day in the volunteer work. Park Campus Life event. “Knowing that I am Coordinator of helping others in the Campus Life Daniel community,” Young McFadden said that five said. “whether it be student organizations people in need or giving pitched in, with more a fresh look to a wellthan 30 students total used piece of equipment, committing brings me joy to picking on a daily up trash basis.” “Knowing that I am across the Young also park, as well helping others in the said that she as painting feels thankful community whether it fences, guard to work in rails, gates the Office of be people in need and curbs. Campus Life, or giving a fresh look McFadden as it gives her said he and a chance to to a well-used piece of the rest of give back to equipment, brings me the community the Office of Campus Life every now and joy on a daily basis.” personnel are then. happy with — Alannah Young The Day the turnout of Administrative Assistant, Campus Life in the Park students for volunteer event Day in the was unable Park. to happen “We were able doing what she could during 2020 due to to complete a lot of to help keep Elmer the pandemic, so the different projects for the Thomas Park, and the paint on the equipment Elmer Thomas Park,” community, clean and – bridges, guards and McFadden said. “and organized. gates – was fairly worn that is the best part of “I love nature,” before being painted. Day in the Park.” Charles said. “So doing PAC Member Kristi McFadden also anything to keep it Alvarado said that she said that the Office organized was a pleasure saw different groups of Campus Life to do. It’s also good to working together and accomplished tasks with do community service becoming acquainted the number of volunteers every once in a while.” with each-other during
her time of volunteering. “Not to mention,” Alvarado said, “I noticed what a fresh coat of paint can do.” Alvarado also said that painting at the park was an eye-opening experience. “Painting felt really good when you got to step back and see the difference it had made,” Alvarado said. “My group worked on painting gates, and you could still see the bright yellow from the other side of the park” Art Senior Jarrett Bellflower, a solo volunteer helping with the group comprised of mostly PAC members, said that the group was assigned to help paint
bridges and parking curbs as well. “I felt like adding a (fresh) coat of paint to those areas made those areas look a lot better,” Bellflower said. “because it looked like they haven’t been painted in a long time, so I was glad I was able to be a part of making the park look better for the community.” Bellflower also said that people could do a lot to help the park during their time at it. “I think people could clean up after themselves and their animals to give the park a cleaner vibe to people who are new to the park,” Bellflower said. “or regulars who
spend a lot of time there. I feel that more garbage cans could be placed more throughout the park, because the times I walk around there in the evening, you only see trash cans in certain areas of the park.” And finally, Bellflower said that after all the groups finished, they met up to put supplies away — giving closure for the event around noon. “It was a great experience I will never forget and look forward to more opportunities like it,” Bellflower said. For more information about future events or volunteer opportunities, contact the Office of Campus Life at 581-2217.
No paint, no gain: Elmer Thomas Park got a fresh coat of paint. “Day in the Park” did not happen last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s Inside Visiting Writer: Gary Reddin
Checking out the Digital Media Lab
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College Fair Recap Page 5