In 2009, Congress and President Obama designated Sept. 11 as a nationally-recognized day to volunteer and pay tribute to those who died in the 9/11 attacks.
Students participated in service projects throughout the Muncie community Saturday for the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Various Ball State student organizations participated in the national event by volunteering with the Freshman Connections-sponsored event White River Clean-up Day.
Sophomore anthropology and photojournalism major Conner Zelmer said he got involved through Circle K, an on-campus community service organization.
"I care more about the environment, so that's what drew me to this service event," Zelmer said.
Senior landscape architecture major Eric James said he believes helping the environment will also benefit the community.
"Our environment is obviously extremely important, not only for the wildlife, but for the community as well," James said.
James said his personal goal is to keep the Cardinal Greenway clean for the community.
"The Greenway here is a huge recreational attraction for the Muncie area, so if we take care of the environment, it will take care of us as well," James said.
Various groups of students were bused from the L.A. Pittenger Student Center to different areas throughout the Greenway, and James said the turn out this year was promising.
"There was a really heartening turnout today," James said. "A lot of people care, and I'm pretty sure this river is going to look beautiful once we are done."
James said what he takes away from the project is knowing he made an impact on the wildlife and members of the community.
"I use the Greenway quite a bit, and honestly Muncie gets some of its drinking water from the river, so it kind of affects everyone equally," James said. "Hopefully we'll do something good for the community, and it'll work out really well," he said.
Junior natural resources and environmental management major Lindell Reust said volunteering in the White River Clean up is a solid resume builder for potential employers when she graduates.
Reust said her goal of the day was to "help Muncie clean up the river and better the water." She also said the free T-shirt, lunch and water bottle were positive incentives to take time out of her day to volunteer.
This service event is just one of many events that happen in Delaware County as a way to beautify the community.
Muncie Delaware Clean and Beautiful conducts monthly downtown and gateway clean-ups as a way to polish up the entrance points when welcoming visitors for games, Freshman Connections Director Melinda Messineo said.
Freshman Connections assistant Kaley Schoeph said she hopes this experience will help more students get involved.
"I hope they continue to get involved in campus activities, and I hope they enjoy their experience," Schoeph said. "It's important to get involved and have that support in college, so I hope they get a sense of that."
-á
Read More
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Who votes? Here’s who decides Indiana’s elections
By Indiana Capital Chronicle / 7 hours agoIndiana voter turnout rates have long lain among the lowest in the country. Despite that, some Hoosier voters cast ballots year after year.
Over 3,000 Cardinals join the Ball State family of alumni following commencement
By Ella Howell / 2 days agoThe Quad filled with approximately 3,000 graduating Cardinals and their loved ones the morning of May 4 in preparation for the 198th Ball State University Commencement.
