Collegiate Times

Community members participate in a fun booth on the Drillfield.

In a scene that resembled that of a state fair, complete with cotton candy stands, music, and games, VT Engage kicked off its community service initiative yesterday on the Drillfield.

The initiative serves to honor the students and professors killed on April 16 and to show the university's commitment to its motto, "Ut Prosim."

With a goal of 300,000 hours, VT Engage has challenged students, faculty, and staff to each serve ten hours of community service. The Virginia Tech Alumni Association has also agreed to match the goal of 300,000, for a total goal of 600,000 hours of community service.

According to VT Engage coordinator Karen Gilbert, all 101 organizations present at the event are in need of volunteers. Thousands of members of the Tech community answered that call, coming out to pledge their portion of hours.

"It's a great way to let people know what's going on," said Aynsley Renz, senior communications major and director of the Big Event.

People had the option of pledging their hours on computers or pledge cards at the event. They also have the option of pledging online at www.engage.vt.edu.

This Web site also gives volunteers the ability to track the amount of hours they have completed on the way to achieve their pledged number.

By 7 p.m., over 30,000 hours had been pledged and more continued to pour in.

In addition to taking pledges yesterday on the Drillfield and on the Web site, WSLS volunteered to host a phone bank in which people could call in their pledges.

Renee Cloyd, mother of Austin Cloyd, who was killed on April 16, was a key contributor in the development of this program. Cloyd said that this initiative is the perfect way to honor those who were lost.

"They were all very passionate about serving other people," he said.

Six months after students congregated on the Drillfield in mourning, this event brought a newfound feeling of excitement the memory of the victims.

"We believe this is an appropriate way to remember those lost on April 16," said President Charles Steger.

The mayor of Blacksburg also stepped in and praised the event.

"This type of excitement is the kind of positive reflection that will honor their spirit," said Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam.

The Drillfield was not the only place hosting a kick-off event yesterday. Ten other Tech campuses across Virginia and at the Center for European Studies and Architecture in Switzerland held similar events to promote the cause.

"I think it will be much higher than 600,000 hours," Gilbert said.