There are about 20 projects on tap and more than 200 volunteers coming from Marietta College's students, faculty and staff for the annual Community Service Day Saturday, with community members also invited to lend a hand.
Arielle Jennings, director of Experiential Education and Service Learning at the college, said the format for Community Service Day has changed.
"This year we have 20 student leaders leading students to their service sites and in a reflection at the end of the day before returning service groups to the closing cookout," she said. "We hope that the day will be fun and meaningful for students and the impact made on the community will be widespread."
The day officially kicks off at 11:30 a.m. and all projects should be wrapped by 3 p.m.
Among the volunteer projects on Saturday are sorting books at the Ely Chapman Education Foundation, graffiti block installation for the Mural Project, weeding and planting at the Front Street butterfly garden, trash clean-up along the River Trail and painting classrooms at the Salvation Army in Marietta.
Volunteers are also welcome to assist with the Harvest for Hope community garden preparation for spring planting season, said coordinator Roger Kalter.
Projects during Community Service Day at the garden behind Food 4 Less include: building raised beds to accommodate those with disabilities (these beds will be designed to be as accommodating to wheel chairs and others with impaired mobility), installation of rain water collection system off the garden shed, installation of an irrigation system, building of low raised beds for existing garden plots where desired, building additional raised herb beds for those wanting them and a general cleanup and preparation of the entire garden area.
Volunteers both previously involved with the garden or interested in participating are welcome to participate by calling 373-1784. Project supervisors are being sought to coordinate Marietta College students, including foreign students who come from cultures where community service isn't practiced as it is here.
Those interested in handicapped accessibility are especially encouraged to contact Roger Kalter in advance at rogerkalter1@yahoo.com.
