This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
In the spirit of the holiday, Penn State’s Civic Engagement Alliance is helping to run the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, which will support more than 200 families in need in the immediate State College area.
The Civic Engagement Alliance is a coalition of groups across campus that share a passion for leadership, service and voter engagement. The alliance hosts events throughout the year to increase student voting turnout in elections, raise awareness for current issues, inspire students to participate in acts of service and more.
Cara Arnoldi is the Civic Engagement Alliance’s voter engagement chair and volunteered at the basket decoration session on Nov. 17 in the HUB-Robeson Center.
“Lots of people are donating materials for these baskets,” Arnoldi said. “We’re decorating them right now just to bring some smiles to (these families’) faces, and we’ll fill them towards the end of the week.”
Around 40-50 volunteers signed up to assist with the basket drive, and graduate advisor Ethan Galley discussed the reach the Civic Engagement Alliance has achieved through its events and connections with students.
“I’ve appreciated that during my time in this organization (I’ve) been able to meet students and student leaders from their different walks of life, upbringings and cultures,” Galley said. “You’re able to not only build bonds with people you might not have met otherwise, but students who are civic-minded, service-minded, who see the importance of giving back to the community.”
Galley also emphasized the alliance’s desire to keep growing and collaborating with groups on campus.
“There’s so much overlap,” Galley said. “We come together and facilitate opportunities, for example this week with our Thanksgiving baskets.”
The Civic Engagement Alliance also allows service work to reach more students by partnering with sister organizations like the Dr. Martin Luther King Student Commemoration Committee.
Executive director of the committee Syndey Crews came to the basket decoration session to de-stress before exams and Thanksgiving break and appreciates the collaborative nature of the alliance.
“I really value service and having people (join) in, that’s something important to me,” Crews said. “Having the Civic Engagement Alliance as a sister org is important to garner different audiences.”
Crews has led days of service herself during her time as executive director.
“The most valuable experience was probably the first day of service I led because it made me realize how much of a bigger impact we can really make on the campus,” Crews said. “Having that as a starting point allows me to see how big we can make (a difference) in the future.”
Finished Thanksgiving baskets went out to community members on Thursday, Nov. 20, and any excess items will be donated to the Lion’s Pantry at Penn State.
