Into The Streets becomes bi-annual service event

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Two familiar Oklahoma State University service organizations -- The Big Event and Into the Streets -- have combined as Into the Streets, which Executive Director Vivian O’Hara believes will allow more students and faculty to get involved and give back.

“The philanthropy and its mission are not changing in any way,” O’Hara said. “Only the name is changing. We believe having one event with the same name that occurs both semesters will attract more students and community members to help grow the event to the largest it can be.”

Into the Streets is a student organization that hosts a one-day community service event each semester. The event, planned entirely by OSU students, is dedicated to giving back to the Stillwater community.

Students can volunteer, as a group or as individuals, to help residents of Stillwater who have filled out a job request form asking for assistance completing yard work. On the day of the event, volunteer groups are given a location of service and any tools they might need to complete the task.

Tasks only take a few hours to complete and include pulling weeds, mowing lawns or planting flowers. Though it may not seem like much, O’Hara said the impact is visible.

“The ultimate goal of Into the Streets is to give back to Stillwater residents and thank them for the continuous support they give us as students,” O’Hara said. “By volunteering just a few hours on one Saturday we see a remarkable change in the community.”

The fall service event is Nov. 5. To volunteer or request service, visit the Into the Streets website at okstateintothestreets.weebly.com. The deadline to volunteer or complete a job request form is Oct. 31.  

For more information, contact Vivian O’Hara at vivian.ohara@okstate.edu. 

Story by Catherine Wilson

PHOTOS: https://flic.kr/s/aHskLKTtAE