The SGA and VT Engage will kick off a new community service program this year to honor the victims of the April 16, 2007, shootings.
Because service will be the focus of this year’s Day of Remembrance events, the new program, “32 for 32,” encourages members of the Virginia Tech community to perform 32 hours of community service before April 16, 2011.
“The 2009 steering committee thought that there were some key things that all of the victims had in common,” said Kelly Griffin, project manager for the office of recovery and support. “They were all passionate about education, which was the focus of this past year’s Day of Remembrance. In different ways, all of them also helped others and benefited society.”
She said that the office of recovery and support also worked extensively with the victims’ families, who gave feedback in the development and planning of the Day of Remembrance events.
“The student planning committee thought it would be special to remember those 32 throughout the year, not just on one day. It’s not just a one day thing, it’s an all year thing,” said Bo Hart, SGA president.
He added that the program is not just for students, but also for faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
Hart said participants will be able to pledge and log their service hours on the VT Engage website.
According to Karen Gilbert, coordinator of VT Engage, participants can also make their online pledge at the VT Engage tent that will be at Gobblerfest on August 27. Free “Hokies have a heart for service” t-shirts will also be available to volunteers.
This year’s Day of Remembrance will include a special event on the Drillfield to showcase some of the community service projects that volunteers completed.
According to Hart, the annual Run in Remembrance will be pushed back to 10 a.m. and the picnic on the Drillfield will follow.
During this time, some of the work that volunteers have done will be recognized.
“We’re going to have a way for people to highlight some of the work that people did,” said Hart.
Though there are many ways for volunteers to complete their 32 hours, Hart encouraged beginning as early as the first week of school.
“The kickoff for this is Hokie Helpers, that’s a way to start your hours there,” Hart said. “Anybody — students, faculty and staff — can sign up to help.”
Hokie Helpers are volunteers who help move students into their residence halls during move in, which will be from August 18 until August 21. It has traditionally been a program that is open mainly to Greeks, but it is now open to everyone, Hart said.
This year, to promote Hokie Helpers and 32 for 32, Tech President Charles Steger and Blacksburg mayor Ron Rordam, along with other university officials, will be manning a water station.
“On August 19, Steger will be out there with me at the water station handing out Hokie Water to people moving in,” Hart said. “It will be a good way for him to bond with students and welcome them to a new school year.”
Though the theme will be different for the 2012 Day of Remembrance, Hart said that he hopes the program will continue.
“Years have passed, but we want to remember that the Hokie community can respond and give back to its community as well,” Hart said.
