In conjunction with West Virginia University’s 2015 Diversity Week, and, in an effort to strengthen community building through volunteer service, West Virginia University Student Government Association (SGA), in collaboration with the Center for Service and Learning, is encouraging the WVU community to participate in National Good Neighbor Day set for Sept. 28.

Good Neighbor Day will engage campus and community members through various service projects throughout Morgantown. The Center for Service and Learning is currently working with local community organizations to determine what projects are needed in the community.

“Good Neighbor Day is a great opportunity to build and maintain positive relationships with our neighbors,” said SGA Vice President Ashley Morgan. “Being a good neighbor is an everyday goal and it can be achieved through large or small acts of service. Whatever your skill set, come out and help us strengthen the bond with our neighbors while having fun and making a difference in our community.”

Volunteers will gather Monday at 3:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms following the WVU Student Organization Fair. The Fair, also hosted by SGA, will be set up around the Mountainlair Green from noon to 3:00 p.m.

“Ideally, student groups will be able to increase their memberships during the Student Organizations Fair and then these groups will collaborate with other groups and be good neighbors in this capacity,” said Daniel Brewster, SGA faculty advisor.

SGA is encouraging all students, staff and faculty to participate in this day of service.

For more information or to sign-up on iServe to volunteer, click here.

Volunteers will wrap up their projects at 6:30 p.m. and conclude the evening with pizza and drinks at 7:00 p.m. in the Mountainlair and an interactive presentation at 7:30 p.m. by Justin Brown of West Chester University of Pennsylvania entitled “Diversity is a Way of Life.” The presentation will be held in the Mountainlair Ballrooms and will explore and promote diversity and cultural awareness on campus.

Mrs. Becky Mattson from Lakeside, Montana came up with the idea of a national holiday recognizing the importance of good neighbors in 1971. National Good Neighbor Day was first proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 aimed at raising public awareness that good neighbors help achieve human understanding and build strong, thriving communities.

For more information about the event, contact Daniel Brewster at daniel.brewster@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

ta/9/22/15

CONTACT: Daniel Brewster, SGA Faculty Advisor
daniel.brewster@mail.wvu.edu, 304.293.8167

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