Need for community service focus of Nov. 18 program

"Celebrating Service," three consecutive events devoted to raising social consciousness about the need for community service and involvement, will be held from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. The program, sponsored by the Community Service Center, the Giving Tree and Oxfam, will include a community-service fair, a "break the fast" meal and an arts festival.

"We have organized an entire day of activities to promote public awareness," said Omar McRoberts, Director of the University Community Service Center. "The fundamental goal is to raise consciousness, and we've also encouraged the participating service providers to bring their sign-up sheets to the community-service fair so they can recruit volunteers on the spot. We are hoping that this day of expanding awareness will lead to many days of action, in the form of service."

The community-service fair will be held from noon to 4:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Club north lounge. Representatives from service organizations throughout Chicago and the Hyde Park area and from University student groups will provide information about their programs.

A "break the fast" meal, provided to members of the community who have fasted on that day in recognition of world hunger, will begin at 6 p.m. in Swift Commons. Oxfam will provide the meal and lead discussion about the world's hunger problems.

"Celebrating Service" will close with an arts festival, organized by the Giving Tree, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Reynolds Club north lounge. The festival will feature poetry, music and visual arts by homeless people, as well as homemade baked goods. "We are encouraging people to bring their own instruments to jam with the homeless artists," said Kirste Moline, president of the Giving Tree. "We'd really like the event to provide the opportunity for people to interact."

For more information, call the University Community Service Center at 753-4483 or the Giving Tree at 702-5479.