The Center for Leadership and Service’s (CLS) semi-annual Cougar’s That Care is on the horizon. This semester, Kean University’s day of service will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2016. Cougar’s That Care is an event in which the Kean community comes together to give back to the surrounding area through several volunteer opportunities.
As of now, there are four service trips being offered. Students can volunteer their services via:
- Adopt-A-Park
- Atria Senior Living
- Community Food Bank of New Jersey
- Habitat for Humanity
In Union County alone there are 36 parks that dominate 6,200 acres. All that land requires a lot of upkeep, which is where volunteers come in. It’s time for the students of Kean University to get their hands dirty at Adopt-A-Park. This community service event will have participants clear away debris and litter, repair fenced area, restore park streams and other areas in the park that need attention.
Adopt-A-Park is an outside community service project. Volunteers should wear clothes they will not mind getting dirty and are befitting to weather conditions. Students should arrive at 9:45 a.m. at the Miron Student Center (MSC) parking lot and return at 1:00 p.m.
Atria Senior Living is the hub of activity for volunteers. Cougar’s That Care participants will bond with senior citizens through arts and crafts, conversation, games such as trivia and other recreational activities. This volunteer outing will be from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The trip to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey will entail volunteers more than likely working with food and household items, ranging from sorting products by function to packaging products for people to easily take home. In the past, volunteers have also spent time stuffing envelopes. Students are asked to arrive at the MSC at 10:45 a.m. The shuttle is expected to return to campus around 2:00 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity is an organization that gives low-income families the opportunity to live in a home they built. When a family is selected to join the Habitat for Humanity program, a site manager will be assigned to the project and will coach the family members and volunteers in all areas of the construction of the home. Cougar’s That Care volunteers will not know the task for the day until arrival on the site. Students are asked to arrive at the MSC at 7 a.m.
Students should be mindful of the weather while wearing clothes that can get dirty. Habitat for Humanity advises students to visit www.hfhvolunteerinsurance.com. The website contains a short video that demonstrates what is expected of volunteers while at the build site. Once on the website, click “Step 2”, enter access code W8NAEBTG and select Volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity Job Site”.
One of the service events generate some interest? If so, it is a requirement for individuals to register for the desired event. Please keep in mind that space is limited, so make sure to register soon. The required registration form for all service projects are made available at https://kean.collegiatelink.net/form/start/76368. The times and duration vary amongst the community service outings, so make sure to pay attention when selecting which event to register for. Transportation will be provided to and from each service project.
Want to be involved on a larger scale? Student organizations and athletic teams are welcome to partake in the day of community service.
More information on Cougar’s That Care can be provided by CLS. Please stop by the CLS office at Miron Student Center (MSC) room 219, call 908-737-5170 or email serve@kean.edu for more information.
