12-22-98

OHIO STATE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS TO COINCIDE WITH SUGAR BOWL

	COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Office of Student 
Affairs is again coordinating several community service projects 
in New Orleans to coincide with the football team’s participation 
in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 1.

	Groups of volunteers are scheduled to work at various sites 
in New Orleans on Dec. 29, 30 and 31.  The projects will include 
serving dinner at the Salvation Army and reading to hospitalized 
children.

	Nearly 200 Ohio State representatives, including President 
William E. Kirwan; Executive Vice President and Provost Edward 
Ray; David Williams II, vice president for student and 
urban/community affairs; the marching band; and cheerleaders, 
also will volunteer at food pantries, missions and homes for 
people with disabilities in New Orleans.  Kirwan is scheduled to 
volunteer at the Ozanam Inn, an emergency shelter and soup 
kitchen at 843 Camp St. in New Orleans, beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 
31.  Kirwan will be at the shelter until 11 a.m.

	An emphasis on volunteerism is one of several initiatives 
introduced to students this autumn as part of an Office of 
Student Affairs effort to incorporate a service-learning and 
community service component into undergraduate education.  This 
Sugar Bowl project is the third of such projects in which 
students, faculty and staff perform community service that 
coincides with the football team’s away games. 

	The first project took place late last December, when about 
200 Ohio State representatives and their counterparts from 
Florida State University volunteered around New Orleans at the 
same time the schools’ teams participated in the Sugar Bowl.  
This year, the volunteer sites have been doubled to include 16 
organizations.

	“This is our opportunity to give back to the city and make 
an impact.  We go and celebrate there and now we can give back,” 
said Tracy Stuck, director of student activities and coordinator 
of the service projects.  “One goal is to get students involved 
and engaged in community service that will carry over into their 
professional lives after graduation.  We hope that through 
service work and reflection on their services, students will 
begin thinking about volunteer service as a way of life and as a 
positive learning experience.  Another goal is to have our fans 
and staff work together to benefit our host city.”

	The second project took place at the Northwestern game Oct. 
24.  In Evanston, Kirwan and several students cleaned the kitchen 
and dining area of the Center for Public Ministry, a shelter that 
offers food, clothing, and emergency and transitional housing for 
the homeless.  Participants also volunteered at several other 
community service organizations.

	Kevin Cope, a senior from Sandusky majoring in political 
science, said he is participating in the upcoming Sugar Bowl 
project because of the opportunity to contribute to the 
community.

	“I saw this as a great opportunity to get leadership 
experience and contribute to something worthwhile,” Cope said. 
“It’s our chance to show the country that Ohio State cares about 
community, whether it’s the Columbus community or a community in 
a whole other region of the country.”

	Stuck agrees.  “Among the service projects I’ve coordinated, 
this is one of my favorites,” Stuck said.  “It is amazing what we 
can pull off doing a project ‘Buckeye-style.’  I was left with 
such an overwhelming feeling of the people we had helped in such 
a short time last year.” 

	Because of the increase in the number of sites, any fan 
attending the bowl game is encouraged to participate.  Those who 
wish to join the volunteers may call Tracy Stuck in Columbus at 
(614) 688-4145 for information through Dec. 28.  Beginning Dec. 
29, Stuck may be reached in New Orleans by voice-mail pager at 
(888) 407-6923.

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Contact:  Tracy Stuck, Student Activities, (614) 688-4145, or 
	  Sue Jones, University Communications, (614) 292-8292