11th Annual Panther Service Day - A Two Day Celebration
April 19-20, 2013
The Latest? Join us this year for a fantastic two day celebration of service and care for our great community! On Friday night (April 19) we will be hosting a 5K Walk/Run to benefit local and international youth and Saturday will feature the outstanding service opportunities!
Anything else? Oh yes! This year on April 20 - we will offer a complete full day of service! There will be an Early Bird Volunteer Event in addition to our main afternoon projects. Truly, Panther Service Day is a FULL DAY of service options! Join us now!
Individual Volunteers for April 20: CLICK HERE to register for all events! We can be the difference!
Group Volunteers (Teams of 6 volunteers or More): Please e-mail volunteer@eiu.edu to register today! Simply include your contact information, your group numbers and your top three choices! See below for choices!
Celebrate with Us!
5K Walk/Run - Miles for Miracles! - April 19, 2013
Panther Service Day Committee is proud to announce the 5K Miles for Miracles 5K Fun Run/Walk. This year, the charity run will be donating 100 percent of proceeds to local and international youth programs. Registration and check-in will take place outside Blair Hall and the run will take place on the Panther Trail!
Local Youth: Charleston Teen REACH is an after school and summer program that incorporates homework help, mentoring services, life skills enrichment, career exploration, volunteerism opportunities, counseling services (if needed), recreational activities, snacks, and transportation. Teen REACH is available to children enrolled in Charleston School District and aged from 9-17
International Youth: Adonai Child Care Center is a program of the Victors Church in Namugoga, a small village in rural Uganda. Our aim is simple: to provide for the needs of children orphaned by AIDS and the extended civil unrest in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country.
We are raising funds that will allow Teen Reach to continue to offer expanding programming and services. In Uganda, Adonai is working hard to provide clean accessible water to all the orphans and families in the nearby village. With 333 participants, we can make both these wants a reality! Will you help?
Join us as we run for youth on Friday April 19th at 5pm. Please print off this REGISTRATION FORM and bring your registration form and $12 to the Student Activities Center, located on the 2nd floor of the Union. Please come right over and join us! Register early to guarantee a free t-shirt! Registration opens on Thursday April 4 and will remain open till Thursday April 18, 2013. Walk-ups welcomed!
Legacy of Service
With over 10 different volunteer sites, all volunteers can find a fun, enjoyable way to give back! This year, a free cookout is provided for all volunteers by the EIU Alumni Association. The cookout is a great way to meet other volunteers and celebrate service. This year, we will have special guests and performances! This FREE cookout is from 11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join The Fun
For groups of 6 or more people, please call 217-581-3967 or e-mail volunteer@eiu.edu. Volunteers will be asked to select a type of project (see more information below) and the Panther Service Day committee will e-mail all volunteers prior to April 19, 2013, to provide specifics about their site!
Panther Service Day is happy to provide transportation to all service sites and a free t-shirt to the first 300 volunteers that check-in. Alumni, students and staff are all encouraged to participate in this exciting day! Over 500 volunteers are expected to attend! We are "Volunteers On the Prowl!"
Panther Service Day Volunteer Options
Early Bird Special: 7am-11am, Girls on the Run 5K
Are you interested in helping inspire and empower the girls and families in our community? Join us at the Girls on the Run 5k! This event is part of the largest, youth-centered 5k series in the world. This moving and unique event would not be possible without the incredible support of nearly 200 volunteers. Volunteers are needed from 7am-11am at Charleston High School to make this special event happen! Please join us following this event at the FREE PSD Cookout! CLICK HERE to register for the 5k!
Standard Service - 12:00pm-4pm - Please choose a Service Project
Elderly Care/Support
Volunteers will visit local nursing homes and retirement communities. Volunteers will play bingo, do arts and crafts, and converse with some of our great residents here in Charleston and Mattoon. If you enjoy talking with new people, this is a great project for you!
Nature/Conservation
Volunteers will visit Douglas-Hart Nature Center and other local agencies to assist with conservation efforts. This includes trail repair and removal of foreign plants. This is a great option for people who like getting a little dirty and helping the community!
Community Makeover (City of Ashmore)
Volunteers are needed to be a part of this exciting volunteer event! Volunteers will travel to local communities and aid the community in an extreme makeover. Projects range from painting, tree cutting, tree planting, fire engine washing and more! Great fun to make an impact and get to know our local communities!
Trash Bash - Community Beautification
Volunteers will walk around the community and pick up trash. This project is great for someone who wants to get out and explore the Charleston area. Volunteers will also help collect various donations from local residents, including food for local pantries and clothing for local agencies. What a fun way to learn more about our community!
Painting/Cleaning (including HOPE Storage Cleaning, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army Painting, Standing Stone, and The 5-Mile House)
Volunteers will help various agencies with cleaning, painting and sorting. This project is an excellent option for volunteers who want to lend a helping hand! Come on out and help our local agencies! Typical projects include cleaning at painting at Salvation Army, and clothing sorting at Catholic Charities.
Princess Ball Set-up (Salvation Army)
Volunteers will help set up for an event that is for an outreach event for local girls. Volunteers will help set up tables and chairs.
On-Campus Support
Volunteers will help a variety of agencies by participating in on-campus projects. These projects range from making cards for veterans to crafts for local children. These projects exist for those wishing to stay on campus and make a difference. All materials are provided.
CLICK HERE to register for any of the above events!
Who We Are
Eastern Illinois University is proud to host the Eleventh Annual Panther Service Day on Saturday, April 20, 2013 and the 5K Walk/Run on Friday April 19. This annual day of volunteering and service began in 2003, when EIU Student Government initiated an effort to improve the relationship between EIU students and the citizens of Charleston through encouragement of acts of volunteerism and service in the community.
Since then, Panther Service Day has evolved into a large-scale event allowing EIU students, staff, alumni and community members to work side-by-side through volunteerism and service in Charleston and the surrounding area. Panther Service Day was awarded the prestigious Governor's Hometown Award in 2004 for its contributions to our community.
