Service Program Kicks Off 2nd Year

Last year, more than 500 students, faculty and staff participated in more than 85 projects around Chapel Hill and Orange County during the service day. Projects included building bookcases and a puppet stage at a nursery, working with the elderly, painting a community recreation center and holding a canned food drive.

This year, organizers said they hope to draw more faculty to work alongside the students and staff while increasing the frequency of service projects throughout the year, starting in January.

They also recently celebrated this year's Project UNC Kick-Off Week, earlier than last year's second semester kick-off.

"Kick-Off Week this year was mainly about recruiting for our steering and planning committees and incorporating people into the actual planning for next March," said Justin Young, a junior and Project UNC coordinator.

The organization's efforts will eventually culminate in a day of service on March 31.

"Our goal is to get as many people out there as possible," said sophomore Elizabeth Gottschalk, assistant coordinator of Project UNC. "We hope to get professors as well as staff and students doing projects."

Young explained the motive behind this year's changes. "One of the biggest issues that people brought up last year was that it was only one day," he said. "Mainly, (Project UNC) is about sparking the spirit of community service."

Ideas for service projects throughout this year include serving dinner at an Inter-Faith Council shelter, visiting a nursing home and making holiday decorations for the UNC Hospitals burn unit.

Young said any student who is interested can get involved with these projects.

Project UNC coordinators said they also would like to work with a different student organization in each of these endeavors, including the Black Student Movement, the Greek community, student government, the Residence Hall Association and the Carolina Athletic Association.

Another main goal for this year is to attract more attention from the UNC community.

"Last year we saw a lot of things we can improve on," said sophomore Lisa Andrews, service co-chairwoman. "We want to get more publicity and have it be more all-inclusive for students, faculty, staff and even Chapel Hill citizens."

Young added that organizers are especially trying to reach out to Chapel Hill residents. "It's called `Uniting and Nurturing our Community,' and last year we felt the presence that wasn't felt enough was that of the community."

And Gottschalk said she has high hopes for this year's big service day.

"Hopefully, there will be some name recognition from last year," she said. "And hopefully, it won't rain like it did last year - that would probably help bring more people."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.