The third annual Welcome Week Service Project united the Bradley and Peoria communities to help the surrounding nonprofit organizations and parks Aug. 25.
Director of the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service Jessica Chandler said 160 volunteers showed up for this year’s WWSP.
Participants volunteered at eight sites ranging from the Center for Prevention of Abuse and the Children’s Home to Wildlife Prairie Park and Catholic Charities. The volunteering tasks varied with each location. Some students helped clear and burn brush, while others packed and moved household items.
Although both WWSP and Service on Saturday (SoS) are coordinated by Bradley Serve, sponsorship for the events varies.
“The Welcome Week Service Project is also sponsored by the Parents Board,” Chandler said. “Other SoS events are sponsored by the Lewis J. Burger Center and Serve, and [they] receive funding from [Student Activities Budget Review Committee].”
WWSP and the monthly SoS events provide students with four hours of community service.
Serve offers volunteers free breakfast and lunch at all of its events.
“We usually have granola bars, pop tarts and water for breakfast,” junior biology and Spanish double major Kelsie Smith said. “For lunch, we always provide pizza.”
Transportation to sites is also provided.
Welcome Week may only happen once a year, but students wishing to continue their volunteer work can join Serve and attend its Tuesday night meetings at 6 p.m. or sign up for monthly SoS trips.
