Visit a sick friend. Open a door. Plant a tree. Thank a teacher. Tutor a student. Do a favor.

These are just some of the acts of generosity that the West Virginia University community is encouraged to take part in during WVU’s seventh annual Random Acts of Kindness Week, held Feb. 13-19.

The week is coordinated by WVU’s Center for Civic Engagement in conjunction with the United Way of Monongalia and Preston counties.

“Random Acts of Kindness Week provides a great opportunity to showcase the generosity that exists on our campus every day,” said Brett White, operations coordinator at CCE. “By practicing kindness ourselves and passing it on to others, we hope it will create a ripple effect.”

Community members are encouraged to check out a schedule of activities and kind ideas online at http://cce.wvu.edu/kindness.

And after you’re done calling a loved one or sending a card to a relative you might not get a chance to speak with that often, make sure to participate in a not-so-random act, as well, and donate to the Random Acts of Kindness Week food drive.

The center will be performing its own acts of kindness by collecting food for the community. All WVU community members are encouraged to donate canned goods and other non-perishable food items.

“At this time of year, food banks across the area run low,” White said. “It’s up to the WVU community to help those in need by donating toward the cause.”

Items will be collected at the WVU-Louisville men’s basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 11. Student Government Association volunteers will be stationed at the WVU Coliseum gates from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Additional items will be collected at the Feb. 12 WVU gymnastics meet vs. Ohio State, Ball State and Auburn.

Items can be dropped off throughout the week at the Center for Civic Engagement offices on the third floor of Stansbury Hall; Student Organization Services wing of the Mountainlair first floor of Knapp Hall on Evansdale Campus; second floor of One Waterfront Place; fourth floor computer lab in Allen Hall on Evansdale Campus; and the main front desk of the Evansdale Residential Complex.

WVU will wrap up the week on Saturday with FREE DAY at the WVU Student Recreation Center for all WVU employees and their families. Faculty and staff will be able to access the 177,000-square-foot facility from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at no charge and take advantage of the center’s fitness equipment, pools, elevated jogging track and more. A valid employee identification card is required.

The Rec Center will also be giving away various gear and gift certificates to celebrate throughout the week.

Anyone interested in volunteering can find information on volunteer opportunities in the area by visiting http://cce.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

td/02/09/12

CONTACT: Brett White, Center for Civic Engagement
304-293-8762, Brett.White@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.