OSU’s annual day of service goes digital
CORVALLIS, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon State University Alumni Association is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by launching a worldwide two-week virtual gathering of volunteers called OSU Digital Days of Service.
The Digital Days of Service campaign will be held May 1-16 and replaces the association’s traditional one-day of service held at sites worldwide. During the effort, OSU alumni, students and friends will volunteer to improve their communities through service projects while observing physical and social distancing safeguards.
Involvement can be as simple as sending cards to seniors in assisted living facilities, fostering an animal, clearing neighborhoods of litter, sending supportive messages to OSU students or contributing to local food insecurity efforts. Community members who want to support those experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can sew protective masks for health care workers or pitch their own project ideas to the alumni association.
“Beaver Nation has always been connected by a powerful dedication to community,” said John Valva, executive director of the OSU Alumni Association. “That spirit of caring and creativity flourishes regardless of physical distance, and OSU Digital Days of Service is a chance to celebrate it.”
The alumni association’s annual service event started in 2009 and usually attracts 300 to 500 participants nationally and has traditionally taken place on a single day. This year, they hope for more volunteers engaging with the digital two-week event.
Alumni and friends can pledge to volunteer and find digital service project ideas at osualum.com/service. Participants are encouraged to share their volunteer stories to inspire the OSU community and others.
Participants who fill out the pledge form and share their story will receive a special Facebook frame, have their name highlighted on the OSU Alumni Association website and be entered to win one of ten $25 gift cards.
To learn more about OSU Digital Days of Service and find additional ways to connect with the OSU community through career, education, health and fun resources from home, visit the Beaver Lodge website and sign up to receive weekly updates at osualum.com/BeaverLodge.
About the OSU Alumni Association: Based in the CH2M HILL Alumni Center, the nonprofit association bridges a global community of over 200,000 Oregon State alumni, friends and students. Its engaged community of volunteers and supporters make possible events, scholarships, career development and specialized alumni services that make OSU a place of lifelong learning and belonging. The quarterly Oregon Stater magazine, Beaver Lodge digital community and OSUAA social media networks celebrate and connect Beaver Nation.
