A big thanks for the BKM Blood Drive!

So, did you hear about the BKM Blood Drive this week? Apparently… everyone did

Thanks entirely to the efforts of some BKM Hall Council planners, support from the BKM RA staff and (most importantly) the energy and participation of you, the BKM residents theoretically reading this right now…

WE HAD A REALLY SUCCESSFUL BLOOD DRIVE YESTERDAY.

The American Red Cross came here with a goal of 24 donors and an anticipated maximum donor amount of 40. We surpassed their anticipated maximum and had a few students step up for the double-red cell donation as well.

The event was an unbelievable success and certainly sets up a great relationship between the Red Cross and BKM going forward. It wouldn’t have been possible without all of you coming together to help a great cause here in our community. I can’t express my gratitude enough or really put how proud I am of your efforts into words.

I will say I’m entirely happy with the results though. And, well, I think this is a good reflection of happiness. How else would you want to celebrate a fantastic bit of service and a rare Syracuse University snow day?

Learn about getting involved with Relay for Life in BKM this week!

A Message From Nate: Help the BKM Blood Drive!

Hey everyone,

As you know with the recent tragedies in Haiti, it’s a busy time of year for the American Red Cross.  In the BKM Complex as part of a month-long “Hearts for Haiti” campaign, we were planning a blood drive for early March.  However, the Red Cross then had a site cancel and asked us to step-up.

Now the BKM Blood Drive is happening next Thursday, 2-25-10, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.  in the Kimmel Lounge.

There are a number of ways to get involved:

DONATE

+ You can take the opportunity to donate blood here in Kimmel Hall.  There are 40 individual time slots to sign-up within and walk-ins are welcomed on the day of the event.

To sign up, please head to either the Booth or Kimmel Main Desks. Tell the RA/MDA that you are interested in signing up for next week’s blood drive. They will pull up the schedule and you can then decide what time works best for you. If the times you are hoping to do are booked, please don’t be discouraged. Again, walk-ins are welcomed the day of the event.

If you cannot make it to the Kimmel or Booth desks but do want to sign up to donate, you can contact me at nzmattis@syr.edu to work something out.  Please indicate “BKM BLOOD DRIVE” in the subject line.

For donor requirements and other information about blood donation, please visit the Red Cross online: http://www.givelife2.org/donor/faq.asp

VOLUNTEER

+ If you cannot donate blood but still want to aid the effort, you can volunteer on the day of. Red Cross professionals are on hand to run the event but they need folks at registration tables and for setup/take down.  If you are interested in this role, please e-mail nzmattis@syr.edu with “BKM BLOOD DRIVE” in the subject line.  Setup begins at 10 a.m., take down is at 6 p.m. and in between volunteers will also be needed.

SPREAD THE WORD

+ Finally, if you’re completely busy on Thursday but still want to help the blood drive out, SPREAD THE WORD. Utilize Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. Feel free to forward this e-mail on to your individual student organization listservs (some of them may even accept blood donations as service hours).  Utilize some of the Red Cross’s online marketing to inspire folks to get involved: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/donor-community

If you have any questions, please let me know. Otherwise I know we’ll put together to help out and make this event a success.

-Nate, the BKM ARD

(That’s from a professional staff trip to the SU Commissary last semester. What’s a commissary you ask? Check it out)

Help BKM Help Haiti!

This Tuesday at 9 p.m. in Booth Hall the BKM Hall Council will hold a meeting to discuss plans for Haiti fundraisers throughout the month of February. The initiative is called Hearts for Haiti and it’s not too late to get involved. Simply come to the meeting to hear more or e-mail in if you’d like more information but cannot attend the meeting.

Want to get involved this semester? Try International Young Scholars!

Words by Sundus, Booth Third Floor RA

Want to share the gift of knowledge?

VOLUNTEER MENTORS NEEDED!

International Young Scholars (IYS) is a program under the Office of Engagement Programs in Hendricks Chapel.

We’re now looking for new volunteer mentors to join this upcoming Spring semester in our Somali-Bantu mentoring program!

INFORMATIONAL MEETING NEXT SEMESTER:

TUESDAY JANUARY 26, 5-6:30pm

What is IYS?

Committed volunteers meet weekly to mentor their assigned teenage immigrant/refugee.  We have a weekly planned curriculum to guide mentors, but you can bring in your own resources (newspapers, magazines…) as well or play our fun literacy games with your kid, read books, go to cultural events (ex: dance performances, ice skating), etc.  You end up developing an older sibling bond with you mentee, and he/she looks up to you!

The program runs on two days…mentors choose one to commit to.

Saturdays, 8:30-11am, at Dr. King Elementary School, 416 E. Raynor Avenue

Mondays, 5:30-7:30, Centro Village Community Center, 212 Van Buren Street

Transportation is provided for SU students upon completion of a simple form.

What is IYS’s goal?

To promote literacy and academic success in a historically deprived community

Also, to connect them to the Syracuse community and to foster mentor-mentee bonds.

Who are the mentors?

Dedicated SU students, undergrad or grad! This past semester, we had about 50 awesome mentors!

Who are the mentees?

They are Somali-Bantu refugee teens, 7^th -9^th grade, ages ranging from 13-16.  They just jumped into the US education system and many struggle, because in their home country, they were denied formal education.

Whom do I contact for more info?

Email iys@syr.edu (I, Sundus, the Booth Floor 3 RA, will get back to you asap!)

Dream Week Events Calendar (1/25 through 1/29)

SU’s Dream Week to honor Martin Luther King Jr. doesn’t end with the dinner next Sunday. Check out the week’s worth of events below for more opportunities to participate:

Monday, Jan. 25

Candlelight Vigil and Gospel Celebration

Hendricks Chapel Steps – 7pm

Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to gather for a vigil to reflect on the legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr… Immediately following the vigil, we will continue to make the dream a reality through the enjoyment of gospel music by the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble of Syracuse University.

Tuesday, January 26

Capturing the Dream: Art Display and Book Signing Reception

Schine Student Center’s Panasci Lounge – 5pm to 6:30pm

This art display will feature the work of school children from Franklin Magnet, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Edward Smith elementary schools in Syracuse. The artists’ pieces will relate to the life, legacy and dream of Dr. King. London Ladd, illustrator of the children’s book, March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King-Ferris, will be signing copies of this book. The first 25 students to arrive will receive a free copy of March On! A reception will follow.

Wednesday, Jan. 27

Documentary: “Nigger” with director Thea St. Omer

Watson Theatre – 7pm

“What’s in a word? Everything. Lest anyone think race need not be discussed and unpacked, see St. Omer’s documentary, Nigger. St. Omer’s artistry shines light on every corner of a forbidden word. This film won’t you stop talking about it. It entertains and provokes thoughtfulness. It casts a lens of remarkable people on art, history, culture and popular culture, politics, identity, ontology, and life. Nigger is beautiful”.

– Douglas Biklen, Dean of the School of Education, Syracuse University

Thursday, Jan. 28

Poetry Night

Watson Theatre – 7pm

Come listen or share your poetry with the Syracuse community. Performances by Verbal Blend, from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, also encompass this event.

Friday, Jan. 29

MLK Campus Day of Service

Schine Student Center – 9am to 2pm

“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve” – Dr. King

Make cards for the elderly, coloring books for local children and much more alongside of campus and community members (including local school children).

Friday, Jan. 29 (continued)

Performance Showcase

The Sky Barn on South Campus – 7pm

This showcase will display the talents of various SU clubs/organizations and is a cultural exchange that will give performers the opportunity to express the dream.