Date: 4/21/09
Contact: Jay Groves
Hundreds of McLean County youth will join the millions of young people from countries around the world to participate in the 21st Annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 24 - 26.
Illinois State University's American Democracy Project and GYSD McLean County will host a service showcase Friday, April 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom - Bone Student Center. The service showcase will highlight and celebrate the year-round contributions of youth to McLean County through volunteer service and provide opportunities for youth and the community to learn more about ongoing service. Dr. Al Bowman, University President, and Ed Rust Jr., State Farm® Chairman and CEO, will open a brief program beginning at 5 p.m.
During the showcase organizations will be collecting donations for our troops, school supplies for our school districts and toiletries for Home Sweet Home Mission. The University Green Team will be handing out free saplings to celebrate Arbor Day.
"We're excited to have everyone in McLean County know what our youth are doing to address the needs of our community while being engaged in a global movement," said Jennifer McDade, Illinois State School of Communication and the American Democracy Project.
McLean County GYSD projects will be in full swing Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some of the projects occurring on, or because of Global Youth Service Day include:
Glenn Elementary School Art Shop Children's Art Room to benefit Home Sweet Home Mission will be selling some of their art projects on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be an area for kids to do interactive art projects with the assistance from the ISU faculty and students. All proceeds will help the Home Sweet Home Mission purchase art supplies. There will be an art gallery and café.
Community Clean Up for Bloomington/Normal on Saturday, April 25: Join residents of all ages participating in the clean-up of Friendship Park from 9 to 11 a.m. and Constitution Trail at Raab Road from 2 - 4 p.m.
El Día De Los Niños/El Día De Los Libros (Day of the Child/Day of the Book) will celebrate reading and culture at the second annual bilingual celebration. Community members can enjoy face painting, crafts, live music, dancing, reading and movies from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. Translation services will be provided by Illinois Wesleyan University Spanish for Social Justice Students.
For more information about all of the projects and to sign up to participate in the showcase, visit www.youthservicemcleancounty.org. A map of where all of the projects are taking place will be available online and at the showcase.
"Engagement is one of Illinois State's core values and civic engagement is a priority for our faculty, staff members and students," said Bowman. "We are honored to be part of Global Youth Service Day because it is an excellent example of service-learning, something that strengthens and enhances our community."
GYSD is organized by Youth Service America with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner. State Farm Companies Foundation, the 2009 GYSD National Presenting Sponsor, enabled the funding of $2,000 grants awarded to 75 Lead Agencies in the United States and Canada. Lead Agencies work to help activate a citywide, regional or statewide recognition of all the young people who provide service year-round.
"Our community's greatest resource is its youth. As we celebrate Global Youth Service Day, we showcase the year-round efforts of youth who make their communities better places to live," said Rust. "State Farm is proud to have this opportunity to celebrate youth leadership as they positively impact our community."
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