SPARC Events

 

FALL 2010

October 16, 2010      42nd Annual Community Service Day     10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday

Over 800 SMU students worked with personnel at 29 local organizations and groups, doing everything from playing Bingo with seniors to passing out health information from a community center, with animals, White Rock Lake, and elementary kids in between. 

From The Daily Campus --

 

Students Clean Parks, Help Kids in Service Day

by Ashley Withers, Contributing Writer, awithers@smu.edu

Over 800 SMU students came out Saturday morning to participate in the 42nd Annual Community Service Day.  The event is put on by Students Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Citizenship (SPARC) and helps kick off Homecoming week on campus.  Groups get points toward their overall Homecoming score based on the percentage of the organization that participates.

"Community Service Day is one of the best Homecoming events because it is great to see so many students go out and help the Dallas area," said Sarah Bennett, Eta Iota Sigma's Homecoming candidate.

SMU's Community Service Day is a campus-wide event that connects participating student organizations with 24 non-profit agencies across the Dallas Fort Worth area, including organizations such as Operation Kindness, the Garland Trash Bash and Catholic Charities.

The Garland Trash Bash is a part of the City of Garland's efforts to keep its city clean and litter-free, as part of the Keep Texas Beautiful campaign.  "We went to Garland with a  few other fraternities and sororities, and picked up trash and recyclables near a community park," said Chris Corbeille, a junior and a member of Beta Theta Pi.  "It felt good to know that we were helping provide a clean recreational environment for the children there.

Some organizations picked up trash around White Rock Lake in an effort to preserve some of the natural beauty around Dallas.  "It was great being outdoors, enjoying Dallas, while helping the Dallas community and environment," Katie Tuminello, a sophomore and a member of Chi Omega, said.  "Everyone running and biking thanked us."   Charlotte Rhodes, a junior and member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, agreed.  "It was really rewarding to see how something as little as picking up trash can benefit the community," said Rhodes, who also cleaned up around Whtie Rock Lake. 

Other groups helped out at fall festivals and children's homes in the area, such as Esther Liu, a sophomore and a member of Eta Iota Sigma.  "My group went to the Starlight Children's Foundation, where we helped with a Halloween carnival," Liu said.  "The Starlight Foundation provides activities and events for children with life-threatening illnesses.  It was really great to see all the kids in their adorable costumes."  One sophomore and member of Eta Iota Sigma, Christy, Parrott, took a lot away from the experience.  "It felt great to make a difference in the llives of some children who don't often get the chance to enjoy a 'normal' life," she said.

Drew Konow, Homecoming candidate from SMU Catholic, found serving a "humbling experience."  "It was a proud day to be a Mustang, knowing that so many people had given up their time for others less fortunate," he said.

 

April 11, 2010      Invisible Children:  Movie & Speaker     Sunday, 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Students raised awareness about the use of children as soldiers in Uganda, through a video and speaker presentation. 

 

May 1, 2010      North Texas Kidney Walk     Saturday, 7 - 10 a.m.

Students served the North Texas Kidney Walk as set-up and registration volunteers, benefitting kidney research, education, and patient services and support.  

 

 

FALL 2009

September 7, 2009     Dallas Life Foundation     11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday (Labor Day)

Students spent Labor Day helping to serve meals and sort clothes in one of central Dallas' homeless shelters.  

 

September 25, 2009  Dallas Animal Services    2 - 5 p.m., Friday 

Students visited with various animals that needed to be socialized with humans prior to being adopted.

 

October 31, 2009        41st Annual SMU Community Service Day     11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday

Close to 850 SMU students participated in up to three hours of service apiece at 28 different agency and organization sites.  Thanks for helping to make this the biggest and best Community Service Day ever! 

 

November 11, 2009    Veteran's Day at Juliette Fowler Homes Inc.     5 - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday

A vanload of students spent Veteran's Day playing and leading board games with senior citizens in Dallas.  BINGO!

 

December 5, 2009      Dallas Interfaith Housing Coalition      early afternoon, Saturday.

Students helped sort seasonal donations received by a Dallas agency which serves those needing transitional housing.