Ohio State's commitment to service extends to Arizona

COLUMBUS – Community service at The Ohio State University is extending beyond state borders and into the greater Tempe, Ariz., area in honor of the Fiesta Bowl. More than 100 students, faculty, staff and alumni will take part in community-service projects from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (MST) Thursday (1/02).

This marks the fourth time Ohio State has organized service projects to correspond with bowl games.

Bill Hall, vice president for Student Affairs, said the service projects are a part of an ongoing Ohio State effort to make a community impact.

“The projects have become a tradition at bowl games over the past several years, and many of the participants have found the activity to be interesting and rewarding,” Hall said. “At a time when Ohio State has much to celebrate, it is important for members of the university to keep in mind our capacity to make a difference in the community and to show appreciation to the greater Phoenix area.”

Project sites include homeless shelters, food banks and retirement homes. Transportation will be provided to the sites from the major hotels housing Buckeye fans.

Don Stenta, director of Leadership & Service-Learning Programs, who is organizing the service projects in Arizona, said serving the community is one of Ohio State’s founding principles and students help carry on that tradition.

According to Ohio State’s Office of Strategic Analysis and Planning, nearly 47 percent of Ohio State undergraduate students do volunteer work each week and more than 85 percent of students in fraternities or sororities take part in community service either individually or through their chapters.

Stenta said students are introduced to service opportunities at Ohio State at the beginning of their collegiate careers. During the first week of Autumn Quarter, freshmen learn about service opportunities through Community Commitment Day. More than 80 community organizations or schools benefit from the nearly 1,500 students that take part in this annual service project. The National Association of Campus Activities in 1998 named Community Commitment Day the nation’s Outstanding Service Project.

Stenta said the focus on community-service projects is an important part of the educational experience at Ohio State.

“The roots of this land-grant university were founded on the principle of service to the community,” he said. “The service projects are one way Ohio State is fulfilling that commitment.”

Service-project sites in Arizona are:

St. Mary’s Food Bank
2831 W. 31st Ave. in Phoenix
(Sort food donations and pack boxes)

United Methodist Outreach Ministries
3320 East Van Buren in Phoenix
(Childcare; sort clothes and donations; maintenance work)

Scottsdale Heritage Life Care Center
3339 N. Drinkwater Blvd. in Scottsdale
(Interactions with senior residents; play games)

Arizona Eastern Star Retirement Center
4602 N. 24th St. in Phoenix
(Take down holiday decorations; manicures)

St. Vincent de Paul
420 W. Watkins in Phoenix
(Sort food donations)

Arizona Senior Olympics
2705 N. 15th Ave. in Phoenix
(Compile packets for Olympic games)