Gustavus Volunteers to Assist Annual GIVE Day in St. Peter, Minneapolis

On Saturday, April 30, 2005, Gustavus will sponsor its annual GIVE (Gusties in Volunteering Endeavors) Day in the St. Peter area and the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis in which Gustavus volunteers will assist with cleanup and renovation projects.

At the Minneapolis location, Gustavus volunteers will assist Phillips residents with spring yard work and cleaning. These projects will be done in association with the American Swedish Institute (ASI), which is located in the Phillips neighborhood, and the Phillips West Neighborhood Organization’s annual spring clean up, strengthening Gustavus’ relationship with the ASI and continuing a commitment to community service.

The Phillips neighborhood, approximately 1.6 square miles, is home to around 3,100 families with 31 percent of the total population living under the poverty line. GIVE has been conducting this event since 1997 in different locations within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and will now focus its sites on aiding the Phillips neighborhood.

In the St. Peter area, GIVE Day will mark new additions to the program, including a Big Partner/Little Partner component, where Gustavus students may bring their Little Partner to participate in the day’s effort. ROCK (Reaching Out to Christ’s Kids), a collaboration of four St. Peter Christian churches, is having their youth participate alongside Gustavus faculty, student, and staff volunteers. St. Peter projects will include assistance and work with the St. Peter Community Garden, CADA (Committee Against Domestic Abuse) House, Treemendous Playground, individual homeowners, city parks, and wooded areas.

Those interested in participating in the Phillips neighborhood projects can register at www.gustavus.edu/alumni/events/give/. Questions may be directed to the Gustavus Alumni Office by calling (800) 487-8437 or emailing alumni@gustavus.edu. For more information about GIVE activities in the St. Peter area, contact Kari Lipke in the Gustavus Community Service Center at (507) 933-6077 or email klipke@gustavus.edu.