Into the Streets has been a tradition of Elizabethtown College for the past 28 years. It is a day of service dedicated to the community around campus.

This year Into the Streets was held on Oct. 23. It was led by Program Coordinator for the Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) Sharon Sherick. The event would not have been possible without student coordinators to run the event.

When it comes to planning Into the Streets, “We start around Nov./Dec. of the previous year to plan for the following year,” Sherick said via email.

“In Aug. we reach out to community partners to see who has needs and how many volunteers they would be interested in,” Sherick said.

The most challenging aspect is getting locations for large groups to do the service projects.

The theme for this year was Blooming Into the Streets. There were over 350 volunteers of students from the College. Some of the clubs have participated regularly in the event since it first started in 1993.

During the day of service, some students raked and prepared homes for the winter of 25 elderly residents in the community. Into the Streets had ten tables set up at GEARS Fall Fest, which included activities for kids to do such as crafts. However, not all service projects took place off of campus. Students could participate in various service activities while remaining on campus. For students wanting to volunteer, but unable to, they could get a to-go bag. The to-go bag was picked up in advance with instructions and a later drop off location.

Many students do not think about Into the Streets after the completion of the event, until the following year when it is advertised. 

However, for the student coordinators, there is much to do for the wind-down after the conclusion of the event. First the students must analyze the data from the event, which is later shared with the College community, such as how many volunteers there were. Student coordinators must also clean materials used for the event in preparation for the following year. Along with that, the supplies need to be replenished. Other responsibilities include, “deciding on the following year’s theme, dispersing of completed projects and materials, sending out thank you notes, contacting community partners to follow up on projects and writing wrap up notes that will assist future Into the Streets coordinators as they prepare for upcoming years,” Sherick said.

Into the Streets is powered by students in the planning, volunteering and even the artwork is created by students.