This year Homecoming Week has been refocused to help those in the region impacted by Hurricane Helene. The theme of “Bucs Take Flight” has taken on a new meaning as students work in the community.

“We are definitely changing the original intent and tone of Homecoming due to recent events and we are shifting it toward a more service-based week,” said Skylar Brackett, SGA secretary of state.

Photo of a student donating blood. (Contributed/Marsh Blood)

Changes include a two-day blood drive from Monday, Sept. 30 through Tuesday, Oct. 1. Students and community members able to give blood were encouraged to make an appointment or walk-in.

There will be a week-long donation drive for flood buckets and hygiene kits on the third floor of the D.P. Culp Center. A list of items needed can be found on the ETSU response website. “Those will be donated at the end of the week to various counties in the area that were affected by the flooding,” said Brackett.

A Letters of Love event was held on Monday, Sept. 30 for students to write letters to families affected by the flood and first responders. A few homecoming events were canceled, such as the pep rally, cornhole tournament and battleship event. Brackett shared that the calendar for homecoming will proceed as normal beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The annual Canned Food Creations event on Wednesday, Oct. 2 will serve as the kickoff to the week. Disaster training is being held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and Friday, Sept. 4 for students who wish to volunteer hands-on in the community. “Those will allow students to get the training they need before going out with the emergency response teams,” said Brackett.

Photo of Dr. Brian Noland at the ETSU blood drive. (Contributed/Marsh Blood)

Those who want to help or need aid should visit the ETSU response website at https://www.etsu.edu/response/.

“This week is about giving back to community and homecoming always has the intent of community outreach and giving back,” said Brackett. “Since it’s needed now more than ever, it’s crucial that students and the community are engaged in these outreach efforts.”

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