Approximately 200 to 250 people attended Community Action Day, which was planned by the Bonner Community Engagement Leaders (BCELs) and the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) student interns to “showcase engagement opportunities at Amherst and [give] students the opportunity to take action,” according to Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Karen Lee.
“This year’s Community Action Day consisted of over 20 student groups tabling in Keefe [Campus Center] and doing different activities depending on what organizations they were representing,” said Kayleigh O’Keeffe ’12, one of the BCELs.
The interactive activities — such as T-shirt making, quilt making, henna tattoos and various prize giveaways — were designed to “inspire students from concerned to engaged,” Lee said. “It is a day intended to challenge students to do something.”
The event organizers hoped that each table display would spread awareness about an issue, provide an on-the-spot activity (such as signing a petition or making a blanket) and inform students about ways to get involved after the event.
“Community Action Day gave students the opportunity to take part in hands-on service and awareness activities, from building Lego houses, to learning about health care reform, to playing a jeopardy game with [Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System] questions,” Lee said.
“It was a fun atmosphere, full of energy and enthusiasm. It was inspiring to see all of these engaged students and activists together in one place discussing ways they are taking action.”
After the table events, Wofford, who has served as Associate Director of the Peace Corps, Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy for Civil Rights and CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service — in addition to U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania — gave a speech on service during a dinner catered by Fresh Side.
“Wofford’s speech was inspiring and engaging,” Lee said. “He spoke about topics that were relevant for students. He made connections between the current global economic situation and ways students can take action to facilitate positive change.”
Wofford discussed specific “national service programs like the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps and … the ways in which students were critical in their development and success,” Lee said. “He answered questions from students about the value of service, the role of government and ways to take action. This was an incredible opportunity for students to hear from a highly decorated and inspirational speaker.”
Lee emphasized that the event, sponsored by CCE, Association of Amherst Students (AAS), the President’s Office and Interdepartmental Student Fund, was largely made possible by College President Tony Marx’s support.
“[Marx] and his office worked to get Wofford to come to campus, and Marx also spoke at the event,” Lee said. “It is so important to have a leader who encourages students to take action and leads by example in this area.”
Lee considered the event a success. “It was everything we hoped it would be,” Lee said. “We had a constant stream of people. The energy was very high; it was a bustling atmosphere.”
O’Keeffe has even higher hopes for upcoming community action events.
“I hope that future Community Action Days will reach out to a greater number of students so that more people learn that there are plenty of ways, big and small, to get involved in the community,” O’Keeffe said.