What: UTEP’s Project MOVE day of service
When: 9:15 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1
Where: UTEP’s Glory Field and various community sites
A record number of UTEP volunteers will assist at a record number of job sites during this year’s Project MOVE, The University of Texas at El Paso’s annual day of service.
More than 1,600 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends will work alongside community partners at about 80 locations around the Paso del Norte region. Some of this year’s projects include painting, landscaping, repairing dog kennels, assisting with youth sports programs, highway and community cleanups, and enhancements to neighborhood skating areas.
Organizers said they continue to register students and could reach their goal of 2,014 volunteers for this year’s Centennial version of Project MOVE, which stands for Miner Opportunities for Volunteer Experiences. The University is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2014.
The day will start with a short pep rally at 9:15 a.m. at UTEP’s Glory Field. It will include food, music and speeches by Gary Edens, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs, and Sandra Braham, Ed.D., CEO of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region. Volunteers will travel to their job sites and work from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Among the more visual Project MOVE activities include:
- Seussville Block Party at Project Vida, 3607 Rivera. Volunteers will help operate art, science and reading stations during the National Read Across America Day activity that also celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
- El Paso High School will play host to about 200 volunteers, including 100 from UTEP, to spruce up the campus in anticipation of the school’s 100th birthday in 2016. Workers will be painting, landscaping and performing general upkeep. The school is at 800 E. Schuster Ave.
- Members of the UTEP women’s soccer team will referee games and offer skills training to youth soccer players at Sue Young Park, 9730 Diana Drive.
- Volunteers will help paint a mural at Latinitas of El Paso, a nonprofit center that helps girls ages 11-18. The center is at 10935 Ben Crenshaw Dr., Ste. 207.
- A crew believes a good cleaning and a coat of paint will “add personality” to the impressive Van Buren Dam Skateable Stilling Basin, 4001 N. Piedras (behind the Dairy Queen) near McKelligan Canyon.