The 10th annual Emory Cares Day will take place this Saturday, Nov. 10. In honor of the 10th anniversary, Volunteer Emory is sponsoring a full week of service-related events.
“Emory holds these values high on an ongoing basis,” Coordinator of Volunteer Emory Mark Torrez said. “But Emory Cares Day gives us a chance to put those values into action in a visible way and recommit ourselves to service.”
The week kicks off on Tuesday and Wednesday with a blood drive in the WoodPEC supporting Hurricane Sandy victims.
Volunteer Emory is also co-hosting Wonderful Wednesday with the Residence Hall Association and the Student Alumni Board, according to Tess Komarek, a co-director for Volunteer Emory who is responsible for service days.
Wonderful Wednesday this week will feature service-oriented activities, such as making cards for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta patients.
On Thursday night, Volunteer Emory will host a showing of the movie “Happy,” which is a documentary featuring interviews from people all around the world about their searches for happiness.
Following the movie there will be a discussion on the definition of happiness and the ways in which it relates to service.
The week will culminate on Saturday with the largest Emory Cares Day to date, Torrez said.
Fifteen-hundred volunteers will serve at 30 different project locations across Atlanta. Volunteer Emory and the Emory Alumni Association organize these events.
More than 75 students will lead different projects with as many as 200 participants who have signed up for the various projects, according to Komarek.
Komarek said that Emory Cares Day provides a service opportunity for students who do not volunteer on a regular basis.
Alumni will also serve at locations throughout the world, including Singapore and New York, she said.
The Emory Alumni Association sponsors projects outside of Atlanta.
Komarek described Emory Cares Day as Emory’s signature event because it takes place not only locally, but all over the world as well.
The event is also important because it gives University alumni a chance to connect with other Emory graduates in their respective areas.
Torrez said he also feels Emory Cares day is extremely important in order for the Emory community to reflect on the values of service and justice.
– By Elizabeth Howell
The Emory Wheel was founded in 1919 and is currently the only independent, student-run newspaper of Emory University. The Wheel publishes weekly on Wednesdays during the academic year, except during University holidays and scheduled publication intermissions.
The Wheel is financially and editorially independent from the University. All of its content is generated by the Wheel’s more than 100 student staff members and contributing writers, and its printing costs are covered by profits from self-generated advertising sales.
