Volunteers unite to celebrate service in Yates

Apr 18, 2024 at 01:27 pm by Observer-Review


Penn Yan Community Garden
BY Samantha Lape-Kesel
YATES COUNTY--For over a quarter of a century, Keuka College and the Yates County Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to organize Celebrate Service... Celebrate Yates (CSCY), an annual event spotlighting community service. This initiative has helped support numerous Yates County non-profit organizations, all made possible by the dedication of hundreds of volunteers hailing from both the college and the local community.
“The 25th anniversary of the Celebrate Service... Celebrate Yates Day of Service is a significant milestone that commemorates the enduring partnership between Keuka College and the Yates County Chamber of Commerce, along with our ongoing commitment to serving and improving the local community,” said Keuka College Director of Field Period Program and Community Relations Kathy Waye.
With support from Keuka College and contributions from local merchants, who help cover event costs, CSCY builds unity and altruism in Yates County. What began as the brainchild of Keuka Circle Fellowship Scholar Tracy Swem Morgan ‘98 has evolved into a symbol of partnership, community spirit, and compassion.
Interested individuals can engage in CSCY in various capacities. College students or community members have registered as individual volunteers or as part of a larger volunteer group. Furthermore, sponsors contribute donations or in-kind goods and services to assist in offsetting the expenses associated with coordinating this event.
The 2024 annual Day of Service is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, commencing at 11 a.m. and concluding at 4:30 p.m. Participants can enjoy brunch at the Geiser Dining Commons in Dahlstrom Student Center from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m., setting the stage for the afternoon work. The day’s activities kick off with a brief ceremony at 1 p.m., followed by volunteers venturing to their respective worksites from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Although the pre-registration deadline has passed, individuals or families eager to contribute can still participate as walk-in volunteers on the event day.
For those seeking additional information or wishing to get involved, reach out to cscy@keuka.edu.
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