Student Volunteers Travel from Illinois to
Spruce up Hampton's Honor Park
On Wednesday, March 16 students from West Illinois University will make a stop in Hampton to complete a volunteer project as part of a national Pay It Forward tour.
The students are part of the volunteer organization Students Today, Leaders Forever (STLF). The organization, formed in 2003 at the University of Minnesota, encourages college students to use their spring break for community service. The West Illinois University chapter was created in 2007.
During spring break, STLF chapters across the U.S. travel to six cities of their choice to complete various service projects. Each tour consists of up to 40 students and is entirely student-led. The tour for the West Illinois University chapter began on Friday, March 11 in Macomb, IL and features stops in Louisville, KY; Huntsville, AL; Anderson, SC; Greensboro, NC; Hampton, VA; and Washington, D.C.
"This is an organization that proves that current college students are a force to be reckoned with and that we are a positive future for this nation," said Trent Ross, West Illinois University junior and member of STLF. "We are determined to change the society we live in by giving service to others."
The students will arrive in Hampton Tuesday evening and spend the night at Hampton's Northampton Community Center, sleeping on air mattresses and sleeping bags. On Wednesday morning, the group will travel to downtown Hampton to begin their volunteer project of beautifying Honor Park. This memorial park, located beside City Hall, honors the city's fallen police officers and recognizes the sacrifices of military personnel during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. On Wednesday afternoon, the students will depart for the next stop on their tour, Washington, D.C.
Itinerary:
- Tuesday, March 15
- 7:00PM - Arrive at Northampton Community Center
- Wednesday, March 16
- 8:00AM - Breakfast at Old Hampton Community Center
- 9:00AM - Honor Park, downtown Hampton
- 1:00PM - Lunch at Old Hampton Community Center
- 2:00PM - Depart from Hampton
###
