Brianna Crichton

Staff Writer

University students celebrated the start of spring by participating in the Office of Civic Engagement’s annual Neighborhood Thaw Out on April 10 and 11. This event, organized by Assistant Director of Community Service Lynn Pierson, helps to integrate students and the Lewisburg community through various service projects. It is also a way to express gratitude for the support that the local area provides to the University; Pierson says that it is “our way of saying thank you” for all that the community does.

One unique aspect of this year’s event, other than its status as the 11th in University history, is that this year was the first time that the Neighborhood Thaw Out coordinators partnered with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs as well as the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. The event was purposely scheduled during Greek Week, and the collaboration resulted in increased participation from the Greek community.

Pierson said that this year the University sent out “about 120 participants at 16 sites” ranging from “the Bucknell Bookstore, Mariah’s Garden, Faustina’s, as well as the Dreamcatcher Farm, the Packwood House, and Santander Bank.” Participants helped with tasks such as preparing the town pool for summertime and collecting wood to be made into charcoal.

Marissa Silvi ’16 was responsible for organizing the involvement of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. In recounting her experience with Dreamcatcher Farm, Silvi said that her group became familiar with the owners of the farm, forming a meaningful bond. The event also had great significance, and Silvi described it as an opportunity to “connect with local community members and see first-hand where, or who is benefiting from our efforts,” lending itself to be an  “amazingly meaningful” experience.

Max McKelvy ’16 of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity echoed the sentiment, saying that of the many service events that are coordinated for the fraternity, the Neighborhood Thaw Out is always popular due to its promise as a “great way to bond with my fraternity brothers while serving the community.”