OVP Spring 2007 Yearbook of Service

I.C.E. allows students to teach ice skating to individuals with various disabilities within the community during the University ice arena's Learn-To-Skate program. This class not only aims to teach ice skating skills but to improve self-esteem, motivation, self-discipline,and a sense of accomplishment. They also choreograph a routine to be performed by volunteers and participants in the annual show case. This year they will be hosting their Show Case performance in April. Participants and volunteers will perform in their second ice show with a routine to "Twist & Shout." Ice skating class are held on Saturdays during the Learn-to-Skate program at the University ice arena. The skaters have been practicing hard and have greatly improved their ice skating skills while having fun on the ice.

Colleges Against Cancer is a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by initiating and supporting programs of the American Cancer Society in college communities. We do many events throughout the year among which is Think Pink week. This week is held in October for breast cancer awareness. CAC sell shirts to raise money, as well as hand out information about breast cancer prevention during this week. Other events include the Great American Smokeout in November to encourage people to quit smoking. But their biggest event is the Relay For Life.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature fundraising activity. The Relay For Life of the University of Illinois will be held on April 20, 2007 from 7pm to 7am at the UI Track and Soccer Stadium. Teams of 8 to 15 people camp out and take turns walking, jogging, or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during an event. However, this event is not simply an overnight fundraiser. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated. These ideals are primarily expressed through a Survivor Lap and a Luminaria Ceremony, both of which are very moving and inspiring.

In the past five years, the Relay For Life of the University of Illinois has raised over ~$720,000 for the American Cancer Society! In addition, it was named the National Collegiate Relay of the Year for 2005-2006, a great honor. This year they are hoping to raise $200,000, although if they could hit the cumulative one-million dollar mark by raising ~$275,000!

The mission of the Campus Girl Scouts is to assist members of the community, local Girl Scouts, and the Girl Scout Council. Additionally they offer a chance for college Girl Scouts to interact with each other and the community. Their usual events include organizing and and hosting Brownie and Junior Badge Events, participating in Urbana Sweet Corn festival, volunteering in various Council Events, participating in Campus Pathway Cleanup, as well as raising money for Relay for Life

Silver Wings (SW) is a national, co-ed, professional organization dedicated to creating proactive, knowledgeable, and effective civic leaders through community service and education about national defense. The majority of their work deals with the military. This year, they have completed two highway cleanups on campus with more scheduled in the future. They have volunteered twice with Allerton Park to pull weeds and plant flowers. They also fundraise for the Red Cross and various Support Our Troops organizations. Most recently, they hosted a care package supply drive to collect items to be sent in care packages to troops overseas. They also have made cards that were sent to troops stationed in Iraq and to troops in the military hospital in Germany. Every year, they have a national conclave with our sister organization - Arnold Air Society - to discuss their service goals for the following year.

The purpose of Greek Community Service is to provide a positive and supportive environment for all Greeks to come together in a spirit of inter-fraternalism and share, work, and act together to benefit the community of the University of Illinois and Champaign-Urbana. Greek Community Service was a brand new organization this year that is currently building a foundation for the organization for future years.  This past year, they have held three drives that took place during second semester.  Next year, they hope to expand on these events and include smaller projects that include, but are not limited to, tutoring, pathway clean-up, recycling, and community outreach. Of the three major drives that Greek Community Service held this year, the first drive was a clothing drive in which chapters competed to see who could donate the most clothing.  The clothes were donated to Salt and Light, and we received an overwhelming response of gratitude from them.  Their second drive was a blood drive co-sponsored by the American Red Cross.  It was huge success, with 21 good units of blood being donated.  Their last drive for the year was a food drive.  Chapters competed to see who could collect the most canned food items, and then Greek Community Service members took the donated food to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank and helped sort and shelve the food.