Students will fan out across the community to do a little spring cleaning for local parks and organizations during this year’s Bring it Back to Normal service day, April 14.
Interim President Aondover Tarhule and Illinois legislators Sen. Dave Koehler and Rep. Sharon Chung will kick off the event with a welcome at 12:45 p.m. in the Escalante Conference Room in Hewett-Manchester before students head out to service sites. The program runs from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Register online.
Since 2008, Bring it Back to Normal has provided opportunities for more than 1,500 students to give back to their neighborhoods. The program, led by the Center for Civic Engagement, was created as a way to build goodwill between residents and students. Prior to the pandemic, students helped residents rake leaves, plant, and clean windows. In 2020, the service moved to outdoor projects with local organizations. This year they will work with the following local groups:
- Normal Parks & Recreation (15-20 volunteers). Students will assist at a local park. Tasks may include landscape bed cleaning, picnic shelter painting, mulching playgrounds, or brush removal.
- Ecology Action Center (12-18 volunteers). Students will assist with storm drain stenciling or tree planting.
- ParkLands Foundation (20-25 volunteers). Students will assist with park maintenance at the Moon Preserve and South Chinquapin Preserve.
