Centenary College Frosh To 'Plunge' Into Service at Warren Camp

By Ariana Cohn-Sheehan

The Centenary College Class of 2017 will be diving into volunteerism work head-first when the students participate in the college's annual "Community Plunge" on Aug. 26.

The event encourages students to spend the day giving back to their community by volunteering in a variety of ways in towns that surround the college.

“There is a strong emphasis on incorporating community service into the Centenary experience,” said Tiffany Kushner, senior director of student engagement at Centenary College. “Community Plunge is designed to help students acclimate to the campus community, plus help instill the benefits of volunteerism in them.”

This year, students will be volunteering at the following places, according to the college:

• Camp Clover (Warren) – Students will aid counselors in executing activities for this bereavement camp for teenagers, scheduled for Aug. 26 through Aug. 30 at Camp Riverbend.
  
• Centenary Community Garden (Hackettstown) – The students will weed and clean up the garden, followed by a short educational session explaining the groups that are involved in the garden’s continued success. 
  
• Hackettstown Main Street (Hackettstown) - Students will clean and refurbish various communal spaces on Main Street.  In addition, the students will receive a mini-tour of the downtown businesses to help acquaint them with their new home.
  
• Centenary Equestrian Center (Long Valley) – Equine students have the option of going to work with the Equestrian Center, with an orientation on how to get involved in the Therapeutic Riding Program offered through the Center.
• Hatchery Hill Elementary School (Hackettstown) – Students will help teachers prepare classrooms for the start of the academic year, plus they will aid administration with office work.
  
• House of the Good Shepherd (Hackettstown) – Volunteers will work one-on- one with senior residents in a variety of settings to play a part in enriching their lives.
  
• America’s Grow-A-Row (Pittstown) – Volunteers will pick produce at Peaceful Valley Orchard. The food will all be donated to food pantries in the surrounding area in an effort to help families in need get fresh, healthy food.
• Blairstown Group Home (Blairstown) – Students will aid staff in running recreational programs for the residents at the Blairstown Group Home or spend quality time with them.
  
• Bristol Glen Retirement Home (Newton) – Students will aid staff in running recreational programs for the residents at Bristol Glen or spend quality time with them.
  
• Matheny Medical and Educational Center (Gladstone) - Volunteers will help with an event happening at the School for Children with Disabilities.
  
• Post House Foster Care (Chester) – Volunteers will help the Post family with an array of cleanup and renovation projects on the property.
  
• Rutherford Hall (Allamuchy) – Students will help maintain the grounds of the historic location in preparation for upcoming events.
  
• Trinity United Methodist Church (Hackettstown) – Students will assist the staff at Trinity Methodist Church clean and maintain its food pantry, kitchen, thrift shop and church.
  
• USET- United States Equestrian Team Foundation (Gladstone) – Students will be doing light maintenance work at the facility.
  
• Warren Haven Nursing Home (Oxford) – Students will aid staff in running recreational programs for the residents at Warren Haven or spend quality time with them.