As ETSU begins gearing up for next week’s Homecoming festivities, Volunteer ETSU and the Homecoming committee are giving students the opportunity to participate in activities that have the two-fold purpose of service and spirit.
Barrel painting, a blood drive and the Canned Food Creations event are service projects that will be available next week to students and faculty.
In its third year, barrel painting is part of a campus beautification effort to make trash cans more noticeable and appealing.
“This was spearheaded out of the need and the want to keep our campus beautiful,” said Joy Fulkerson, ETSU coordinator for community service programs.
“It’s a great way to show school spirit as well as providing student groups an opportunity to get their name out there and get some recognition.”
Donated by the physical plant, the trash cans will be available for painting by groups of three or more faculty and students in the pedestrian mall on Monday, Nov. 5, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Participation gifts will be given and the cans will be reviewed for appropriateness.
The second service opportunity taking place will be the Red Cross blood drive Nov. 7 and 8 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. in the Culp Center Ballroom.
As the only drive this semester, Fulkerson said she is hoping for a strong turnout and has set a goal of 150 good units given.
“This is a great opportunity for students to show their support and to help replenish the supplies that were given in response to the terrorist attacks,” she said.
Finally, campus organizations can collect canned food items that will be constructed into various shapes and then donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Traditionally termed “Canned Food Castles” this year’s competition will give students creative license to build structures other than castles.
Canned Food Creations will be held Friday, Nov. 9, from 12-3 p.m. in the ETSU parking lot across from McDonald’s.
“Again, this event is very timely, in that all of the supplies (Second Harvest Food Bank) are depleted or limited by the terrorist attacks,” Fulkerson said.

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