NORWICH – Every semester, students in Cynthia Riedi’s Psychology 101 course at Morrisville State College’s Norwich campus must create a service project for the community.
“Finding out about this population and helping this population will help them when they have to work with them in the future,” explained Riedi, who is an adjunct professor of psychology and social services. “It’s important to get them out there.”
In the past, classes have volunteered at soup kitchens and raised money for The Place. Last semester, students organized a clothing drive for Roots and Wings, an emergency service and basic needs program run by Catholic Charities.
“Most of them are in human services or criminal justice,” Riedi said. “They are going to be working with these organizations and these people.”
Students taking the class this summer are working with Roots and Wings again.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Aaron Demun, a student in the class. “You go all around and see people who use these services, who need them.”
Students also asked for donations from local businesses.
NBT Bank, Peggy Parker Real Estate and Irmin Mody Real Estate donated checks that totaled over $300, which will go directly to Roots and Wings.
Several businesses donated items to be raffled off. Money raised from raffle tickets will be used to buy toiletry items.
The money Roots and Wings gets is earmarked for food items only, explained Melinda Mandeville, the organization’s director. Toiletry items must be donated and people in need of diapers, toilet paper or soap are often turned away.
Bins to collect foods item for the Roots and Wings pantry have also been placed on the second floor of the Morrisville building, in the Eaton Center, at the YMCA and in the Whipple Administration Building on the main Morrisville campus.
“The fundraisers that the Morrisville students do for us are a big impact on our food pantry,” Mandeville said. “It’s usually the largest food drive we get.”
The students raised more than $100 selling raffle tickets in the hot sun during Gus Macker, Riedi said, but were disappointed with the turnout.
“Summer is a hard time, I think,” Riedi explained. “I think people aren’t thinking about college students. It startles them that students are doing this.”
Yet her class remains determined to do as much as they can, Riedi said.
“People want to do good,” said Gary Gingerich, another student in the class. “But it’s hard because of the economy. Everyone is struggling.”
Gingerich says he knows people who have used Roots and Wings during hard times, which is why he continues to push the project.
“People usually don’t think about Roots and Wings until the holidays,” Gingerich said. “But in the summer, kids aren’t in school. They aren’t getting that one lunch a day.”
Riedi say she hopes she made her students think about their community. She beams as she describes how the students picked the grand prize for the raffle, a barbecue package valued at over $200.
The class bought a grill from Lowe’s, which offered a discount and a gift card when they heard about the project. The students made up the difference from their own pockets.
“They’ve done a wonderful job,” Riedi said. “I’m really proud of them.”
Curtis Lumber, Tops and Save-A-Lot each donated gift cards as part of the package.
“The fact is we see more and more people here who need help,” Riedi said. “I wish we could do more than we already do. This is something we can do as a group or individuals, so hopefully we can make somebody’s day brighter.”
Raffle tickets are on sale until Friday. Tickets will be sold from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the Morrisiville building lobby during new student orientation. For more information contact Riedi at 334-5144, ext. 5044 or riedicc@morrisville.edu.