MEDIA TITATNS: DAVE+OPRAH

 

More than 3,000 students and members of the Ball State community had the opportunity to see Oprah and BSU alumn David Letterman tonight, in person. A select handful of the SVS Program Coordinators were given special tickets to get prime, front row seating.

Here are some PC reactions:

"It was amazing. I had no idea how much Oprah had been through as a person. None. It really reminded me we are all human, we all come from different backgrounds and that those backgrounds don't have define us or give us limits. She talked about her 'little voice' she has, I have one too. I was like how weird is that!? It really showed how important being humble is, because she is truly humble. Very grounded. I love how she talked about being centered, spiritually. I needed to hear that. The experience was truly incredible, and a once in a lifetime thing. I'm very grateful I was given the opportunity to attend the way I did."
-Amanda Schmeltz

"It was great! She is inspirational and I feel honored to have seen her. It was totally a once in a lifetime opportunity!"
-Meghan Delaney

Check out the following links for more on the special event:
http://bsudaily.com/Content/Default/HomepageRotator/Article/OPRAHLETTERMANVISIT/
http://cms.bsu.edu/Web/Letterman/UpcomingSpeakers/OprahWinfrey.aspx
http://bsudaily.com/Content/News/News/PhotoGallery/DaveOpraharrive/1/15/21
http://bsudaily.com/Content/Default/HomepageRotator/Article/UPDATEDAVEANDOPRAH
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/oprah-david-letterman_n_2197689.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2012/11/27/david-letterman-oprah-winfrey/1728993/
http://chrisbergin.blogspot.com/2012/12/dave-oprah.html

 

21st Annual Angel Tree 2012

Angel Tree is an event that SVS hosts every year, which aims to spread Christmas joy and the season of giving around the Muncie area. You can stop by the Office of Student Life (SC Rm 133) TODAY to choose an angel and make his or her holiday wish come true! Check out some of the work our volunteers and PCs have accomplished to set up for the event.

Volunteers decorated snowmen ornaments last week. Names and profiles of local children have been added to them so that Angel Tree participants can come choose a child.

 

Graduate Assistant, Kari, counting and sorting the snowmen ornaments:

 

Walking in a winter wonderland....

 

PC'S Friendsgiving Social

Click the pic for a better view!

21st Annual Fall Leaf Raking

Wow! Ball State students did an extraordinary job yesterday serving the Muncie community. Check back later for more on the event.



Check out some awesome reflections from some fantastic students!

Hello, my name is Nolan Cockrell and I am a Program Coordinator for SVS. As one of the committee members for the 21^st Annual Fall Leaf Raking, I was able to see all of the hard work that went into this event. We contacted homeowners who needed their yards to be raked and found local sponsors to support our cause. Each of us played a crucial role in organizing the leaf raking outreach. We were very prepared for the event and managed to outdo our records from the year before. I served on both the morning and afternoon shifts to drive volunteers and help rake leaves this year. The groups I worked alongside did a fantastic job and persevered through the weather that day. I remember two homeowners who personally thanked us for showing up to help. Most of the people we served had difficulty getting around the house but were extremely grateful to have us. We could not have accomplished all this without the generosity of these volunteers who gave up their time to serve.

Hello, I'm Esther Hamilton, and a sophomore at BSU. The Fall Leaf Raking project through SVS was a wonderful, first-time opportunity for me. At first, I was a bit leery of raking for four straight hours beginning at 8am, but it flew by and I loved every minute of it. I even had the opportunity to jump in a leaf pile that was higher than my hips and wider than my outstretched body. The homeowners and their families were very happy to see their clean yards and thankful for our hard work. The friendships that I made and strengthened while raking with SVS were unforgettable! Although the work was physically strenuous, I proudly plan to do it again next year and maybe complete four yards instead of three. 

Hello there! I am Meghan Delaney and I am a Program Coordinator for Student Voluntary Services. This past weekend I participated in my second Fall Leaf Raking experience! I was not coordinating this event, I was just another volunteer getting to rake some leaves! SVS offers so many one-time events, and this is by far, my absolute favorite. I have been looking forward to it since the leaves started to change. The people who we rake for are always so appreciative, and all of the volunteers seem to have a great time (aside from it being a little cold). What I love most about SVS and volunteering at events like this, is that a group of total strangers can spend a few hours together doing some public service, and come out of it as great friends. You learn about each other and get to share your own story and get to hear the stories of the people living in the Muncie community. I think it is so stellar that organizations like SVS and events like Fall Leaf Raking show Muncie that we are more than just college students who live here a few months out of the year, and then leave. We care, and we want to make an impact while we are students here at Ball State. I am so thankful for SVS, and for the people I have met, and the activities that I get to participate in. At the end of the day, I might just be raking a few leaves, but I know it made life a little easier for someone else. That is why I am a volunteer. 

For tons more photos, check out our facebook album!

The BSU Daily News covered the day, as well!

You can read that article here:

Student Voluntary Services Hosts 21st Annual Leaf Raking Event