Community Experience, an executive agency of the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico, was created to provide an opportunity to students to get involved in service projects benefiting the city of Albuquerque.
Photo cutline: UNM SUB student employee Samantha McNulty (l.) assists Misty Salaz, the SUB's communication and marketing specialist, in decorating the Giving Tree. Sponsored by the SUB, ASUNM's Community Experience and the SRCs, the tree features ornaments with the name of a foster child and a requested gift.
The group recently hosted a food drive to benefit Roadrunner Food Bank.
“We collected 763 pounds of food through donation spots all across the Student Union Building. We also trick-or-treated for food at various offices after putting up flyers notifying people of our project,” said Chelsea Armstrong, UNM senior and Community Experience organizer.
“The University of New Mexico, as the focal point of our community, has a responsibility to give back to Albuquerque and show our appreciation for community support,” said Saraswati Khalsa, director, Community Experience.
In addition to the food drive, the group also plans to put up a Giving Tree in the SUB on Monday, Nov. 29. It will remain up through Dec. 17. Individuals can take names, purchase gifts and bring them back to the SUB for distribution.
“The gifts will be donated to foster children around New Mexico,” Armstrong said. She said UNM students who are going home to communities around the state will deliver the gifts in their hometowns, expanding the group’s reach beyond Albuquerque.
Community Experience also hosts Spring Storm, an annual event organizing students, staff and faculty to be engaged in a one-day community improvement event.
They also host an annual blood drive.
For more information about Community Experience, call 277-0106.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920
Posted by scarr at November 24, 2004 03:48 PM