FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2019
Contact: Jason Hogue, Director of Marketing and Communications, 402-872-2429
Peru, Nebraska - As part of Welcome Week, Peru State College's incoming freshmen class participated
in seven community service projects. Each project addressed a need on campus, in local
communities or the region.
The Director of Student Activites, Crystal Hutson, oversaw the service projects, noting,
“With more incoming students arriving on campus, we wanted to offer a variety of projects
that would mostly benefit our local communities - including Peru, Auburn and Nebraska
City.”
"While the new freshman class completed the service projects, the activities could
not have been done without the efforts of Welcome Week student planners Sara Granfors
(Seward, Neb.) and Kealyn Ensminger (Homer, Neb.)."
After participating in the projects, freshman students discussed their experiences
completing the service projects and how to further their involvement throughout their
time at Peru State College.
Free Libraries
Students constructed and decorated three free libraries to be placed on campus and
in the town of Peru. Two libraries will host books for college students and adults
while the third box will be designated for children’s books.
Students participating in the building of the Free Libraries pose with a library and First Lady Elaine Hanson.
Project Response
Students constructed 20 tie blankets. The blankets will be donated to Project Response
in Auburn
Bobcat Care Packages
Students packaged 500 care packages to be donated to project response in auburn and
local homeless shelters.
Backpack Program
Students assembled 50 backpacks with supplies and items. The backpacks will be donated
to Calvert Elementary School in Auburn
Inspirational Notes
Students wrote 550 inspiring notes. The notes will be placed in care packages or backpacks
to be given to the Auburn and Nebraska city hospitals.
Campus of a Thousand Oaks Wellness Trail
Students assisted with beautification of the Wellness Trail. The Trail is available
for use by students and members of the community.
Omaha Against Hunger
Students packaged approximately 8,600 meals to be distributed by Omaha Against Hunger.
All the packaged meals will be donated to Food Bank for the Heartland and then distributed
to children in Nebraska and western Iowa.
Meal packing in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
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