The goal of the College's first community service drive of the 2008-09 academic year, Operation: Crayon, was to collect as many school supplies as possible for children in Yates County.

Mission accomplished.

Sponsored by the Center for Experiential Learning and the Yates County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Operation: Crayon realized nearly $880 worth of donated crayons, pencils, pens, paper, folders, erasers, color pencils, markers, rulers, and other school supplies.

Members of the Center for Experiential Learning staff and students who serve as community service advocates delivered the items to Carol Oswald, Red Cross community services coordinator, earlier this month.

According to Sally Daggett, associate director of experiential learning, the supplies were divided between Penn Yan and Dundee schools.

“When schoolchildren run out of supplies, they can go to the school’s supply closet and get what they need,” said Daggett. “We had a good turn out of supplies. I sent a flyer in with [Vice President of Student Development and Dean of Students] Jim Blackburn’s letter home to incoming students, and so extra supplies were brought to Keuka with the students.”

The community service advocates include Laura Williams, a senior management major from Odessa; Erica Ballard, a sophomore psychology from Marlton, N.J.; Jennifer Bush, a sophomore adolescent social studies/special education major from Endwell; Allie Waye-Walker, a freshman organizational communication major from Penn Yan; and Molly Flanagan, a freshman organizational communication major from Rochester.  

Upcoming community service events for the fall semester include Make a Difference Day, a necessity drive, and the annual Angel Tree project.