EIU Media Relations

Volunteers, Homes Sought for "Panther Service Day"

In an effort to expand on last year's successful "Bucket Brigade," crews of Eastern Illinois University students and staff are planning "Panther Service Day," scheduled to take place Saturday, April 24.

Caleb Judy, Eastern's 2003-2004 student body president, hopes volunteers from the Charleston community join those from Eastern as they plan to paint homes and clean up yards and parks in the city.

Interested persons may pick up applications and information packets at the Student Activity Center, located in the university's Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Alison Mormino, former student body president, brought the idea of a "Bucket Brigade" to Eastern's campus in 2003. The original project was created by Dale Nuedecker, a State Farm Insurance agent from Alton .

The local effort was considered an enormous accomplishment, and Mormino was proud to see a high turnout of Eastern students, who made up the majority of the 150 volunteers. Judy wants to continue the project and improve on the success of last year's event.

In order to qualify for the painting program, homes must be one or one-and-a-half stories tall and owner-occupied. Yards need to be nominated, as well, while parks will be decided by Charleston 's city manager. Last year, most of the homeowners that benefited from this program were seniors who simply cannot handle this huge job alone. Other recipients have historically been those with physical limitations that prevent them from doing the work.

Volunteers for Panther Service Day will be divided into groups of 10 to 15 students and citizens. Each group will be assigned to a specific area of service.

The purpose of this project, as Judy puts it, is "Unity through Service." Judy hopes that this project unites the community to serve one another.

For information, contact Judy at 581-7670 or e-mail him at cucsj@eiu.edu .