Community Action Day: "Choose How You Want to Serve!"

April 9, 2008

Exonians helping clear the grounds at Swasey Parkway, Exeter

Today, 1,000 Exonians hit area streets, woods, schools, farms, beaches, shelters, hospitals, businesses, food banks, playgrounds and housing developments. They volunteered their time in more than 60 locations, working collaboratively on Community Action Day projects. Activities ran the gamut, from cleaning beaches, parks, farms and stables to working with pre-schoolers, elementary school-aged children and the elderly. See a photo gallery...

Carol, a senior, worked on painting panels for the local chapter of Tents of Hope, a project aimed at supporting the people of Darfur. "Today really helped this project get off the ground," she said as she hung individually painted panels on a tent set up in the Academic Quad. Today's sunny, warm temperatures – 50 degrees at noon – helped make this project, and all the outdoor activities, a success.

Community Action Day is a new collaboration among Exeter's Social Service Organization (ESSO), the school's sustainability program and the office of student activites. The focus is on community involvement and choice. "Our projects for Community Action Day offer both breadth and depth," explained Katie, a senior on the ESSO board. "One of our goals is to offer diversity in choices, so that every Exonian can be excited." Katie was one of five students who presented the new program at Assembly yesterday to loud cheers. "Choose how you want to serve!" Katie urged her fellow students. "You're making a difference your way." Katie estimates that over 2,500 people will benefit directly from the students' non sibi efforts.

For the students, there was fun and camaraderie mixed in with the work. "I love painting!" said Alison, a senior, during her stint painting the walls of the basement in the Davis Center on campus. Her friend Laura announced with a big smile, "This is my first time painting and it's great!" They were joined by Noelle, a recent winner of two major art awards, who couldn’t resist painting hearts onto the green walls.

Excitement about the new program was tangible on campus as Community Action Day approached. "Everyone was very interested in hearing what people signed up for," said Katie. "They loved that they could sign up for activities that they were personally interested in. And they loved working on activities with their friends." Within the first 70 minutes of signup, 600 Exonians, approximately 60 percent of the student body, had chosen a project.

Education is key to Community Action Day. "Not only do we emphasize direct service, but we also emphasize a strong educational component," explained Katie. Many community participants took time to teach the Exonians about programs. For example, New Generation, a shelter for pregnant women and young children located in Greenland, NH, discussed with the Exeter volunteers the shelter's mission and its impact on the region. Urban Forestry Center, located in Portsmouth, NH, instructed students in community forestry planning and management.

With this new program, "you're learning and can have a bigger impact," explained Alex, an Environmental Proctor who helped develop the Community Action Day program. In previous years, Exonians have taken a day off from classes in the spring for Clean Up Day, which consisted largely of removing leaves and debris from campus and local areas. With Community Action Day, "we've come a long way from raking," Alex added.

“We wanted this annual activity to be motivating, a chance for students to learn something, and for each student to grow in understanding their communities," explained Assistant Principal Tom Hassan. "We’re sparking the kids’ interests for a longer term.”

Jae, another ESSO board member, knows that the beneficial effects of Community Action Day will be lasting. "The students will share their experience – with relatives, at the dinner table, on the phone. As they share their experience, they will get to appreciate the value of direct service." He added, "As different components of the Exeter community – students, faculty, staff and town community members – get to know each other more, the positive outcome will be indescribable."

Preparation for today's activities was "a huge and heroic task," said Principal Ty Tingley. Faculty and students worked together for months, brainstorming ideas and contacting potential community partners. As the day approached, Jan Trueman, student services coordinator, switched into high gear, arranging for 15 buses and 6 Academy vehicles to transport students.

All 21 vehicles returned promptly to campus at noon, depositing 1,000 hungry students. Their reward? A cookout, with Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Interested in learning more?

See a photo gallery of Community Action Day...