WMU students to 'spring into the streets' to volunteer

Contact: Deanne Puca
Spring Into the Streets logo.

Registration closes Friday, March 28.

KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University students intend to spring into action and volunteer from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5.

The students will be heading into neighborhoods around the Kalamazoo area to help out with worthwhile service projects as part of Spring Into the Streets. SITS matches student organizations with community agencies that need large groups of people for one-day projects.

Registration ends Friday, March 28. Sponsored by Student Activities and Leadership Programs and LeadCorp, the event is free.

Spring Into the Streets

The 2014 SITS will begin with a kickoff event and volunteer registration at 10:30 a.m. at Center Stage in the Bernhard Center

During their participation in this day of service, students will have a chance to work alongside community agencies on a variety of tasks ranging from neighborhood cleanups to painting to landscaping projects and more.

"The hope is that students will have the opportunity to show Kalamazoo that they care about the community and that they are committed to making it a better place for everyone," says Katherine Bates, SALP associate director.

Area organizations requesting volunteers

  • Tabitha Farm Urban Homestead and Community Garden, gardening
  • Heritage Community of Kalamazoo, spending time with residents
  • City of Portage, trail cleanup
  • Kalamazoo County Land Bank; cleanup, gardening and possibly painting
  • Community Homeworks, cleaning
  • Battle Creek VA Medical Center, spending time with residents
  • Edible Edison Community Gardening, gardening
  • Edison Neighborhood Association, cleanup
  • WMU Natural Areas and Preserves, gardening
  • Urban Alliance, building and construction

For more information, visit wmich.edu/activities/volunteer/spring/index.htm or contact Katherine Bates at (269) 387-2182 or katherine.bates@wmich.edu.