Volunteer Day kicks off with community activities

The well-known Princeton motto "Princeton in the Nation's Service and in the Service of all Nations" will become a reality tomorrow as members of the Princeton community come together for the first annual Campus Volunteer Day.

The event will focus on outdoor activities, and the entire University community is encouraged to participate.

Sasa Olessi Montano, director of the Pace Center for Community Service and one of the event coordinators, said she hopes to "start something new that will continue to expand as a Princeton tradition."

While a similar event took place two years ago under the umbrella of the Office of Community and State Affairs, this is the first year the Pace Center has planned CVD. As the center launches this year's activities, Montano stressed that CVD is the result of a partnership among several groups. She said she hopes to engage University organizations and departments as the event expands during the next few years.

Several locations

This year, volunteers will work at several sites. Some will work to improve the paths and gardens at three local public schools, Johnson Park, Littlebrook, and Riverside. Others will head to Terhune Orchards, spending a few hours on the maintenance of the frequently trafficked trail on this local organic farm.

Still others will help clean up Cadwalader Park in Trenton, the Institute Woods at the Institute for Advanced Study, and, by paddling in canoes, the D&R Canal. Between 20 and 40 volunteers will work at each site.

"It's not too late to sign up," said Carey Hoover of the Student Volunteer Council. Volunteers will meet in Frist Campus Center at 9 a.m. where they will receive a free T-shirt and enjoy breakfast before the activities begin. Transportation to each of the locations will be provided.

"This is a team effort," Montano said. "Campus Volunteer Day is an opportunity for us to be in the service of all nations in a way that will resonate with all those involved."