Here is something great that some Red Riot members can get together and do. Anyone else interested in joining a Red Riot group for this event? Need to know quickly since it's two and a half weeks from now.



http://www.northernstar.info/article/2932/
NIU Cares Day gives chance to give to community

By JERRY BURNES
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Quote:NIU Cares Day will kick off April 19, giving students, faculty and staff the chance to complete projects in the DeKalb-Sycamore area.

According to Becky Harlow, assistant director in Student Involvement, the campus-wide event hosted 900 volunteers in its first season last year and helped the community by painting houses, fixing playgrounds and picking up garbage.

“The NIU Cares Day committee hopes that our students, as well as our staff members, will continue to develop lives that involve community service,” Harlow said. “Participating in volunteerism projects like NIU Cares Day will help lay the foundation for the value of giving back.”

NIU Cares Day will host a fundraiser Monday at Culver’s restaurant in Sycamore. Culver’s will donate 10 percent of its sales from between 5 and 7 p.m. Harlow said all money raised goes toward buying equipment and supplies for future projects. Other business sponsors for this year include Jewel-Osco and Pizza Villa.

To find projects, NIU Community Recruitment talks to agencies and nonprofit organizations. Harlow said they are currently working with the city of DeKalb to paint houses, and have confirmed agencies including Salvation Army and Children’s Learning Center, along with the DeKalb Park District and DeKalb Public Library.

The park district is excited to see the event continue this year.

“It helps the community a lot because they see cleaner parks earlier in the season,” said Cindy Capek, executive director of the DeKalb Park District. “I really thank NIU for doing that.”

The help the park district received last year gave it a jump start on regular spring preparations.

“It will be even more critical this year with the weather we’ve faced,” Capek said. “We’ve had a limited opportunity to get outside this year.”

Harlow said there are more events planned for future NIU Cares Days.

“Next year, our goal is to [have] major fundraisers in the fall and then supplement it with smaller fundraising programs in the spring,” Harlow said.

The NIU Cares Committee is made up of four subcommittees, totaling 20 people.

NIU Cares Day is accepting volunteers until Monday. Students can sign up individually or by group at http://www.niu.edu/studentinvolvement/vo...ration.asp