TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Students at Indiana State spend their last day before classes start by helping out the community as part of ISU’s annual Donaghy Day.
Students volunteered their time and were sent out to several areas around Vigo and Vermillion County to service the community by helping out clean local parks and trails, as well as prepare meal kits that will go to the Vigo County School Corporation, Manna from Seven, and back into the food bank on ISU’s campus.
Some students were sent to Griffin Bike Park to help clean the trails and bike courses after a recent storm caused tree limbs and other debris to cover the area. Some students even helped with digging an underground trail for wiring to feed into the park will be used later for electricity.
Some students also met at the Hulman Center to pack boxes full of mac and cheese meal kits, as well as rice meal kits. 65,000 boxes were packed and shipped to the various locations the Million Meal Movement has partnered with in the area.
Alex Whitmore is the Assistant Director for the Center for Community Engagement at ISU, and he mentioned that this Donaghy Day is to show students that college is more than just getting an education.
“We’re trying to teach them that during their time at Indiana State, it’s not just about being a student in the classroom,” Whitmore said. “That’s the number one thing is to get your education. Get your degree, but we want you to be a part of the community, and we want you to be a part of Terre Haute, and everything that’s going on in this area. This might be the only time they’ll go to Fowler Park, for example, so it’s like they’re seeing a part of Terre Haute that is more than just their bubble on the town.”
Whitmore also added that Donaghy Day can not only help the community but also help the students get to know each other and grow friendships as well.
“We want students to come here, do some community service, but then maybe it grows something in their heart to want to do a little bit more,” Whitmore said. “I’ve had students who also met their best friends while doing meal packing, and then they’ve been roommates for the rest of their time at ISU. So, it’s a great way to also talk to some students on your floor, gets to know them, but also do community service. Some of them for the very first time.”
To learn more about Donaghy Day and other ways students can be involved in the community, or if anyone wants to partner with ISU for next year’s Donaghy Day or any other community events going just visit the Center for Community Engagement’s website.
