College of Creative Arts and Media students are hosting a new and gently used sports equipment drive to help replace the items lost by Robert L. Bland Middle School due to flooding in July.
The donated gear will first be used at the Mini Day of Play at Jackson’s Mill scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, allowing the nearly 500 flood-displaced students to participate in games, sports, and various other activities while spending time together.
Community members are encouraged to donate in the weeks leading up to the event.
“This educational experience of WVU students serving the needs of elementary children in West Virginia outlines the purpose of our University,” said Elizabeth Oppe, professor of Media 438. “By directly integrating the classroom content into fulfilling community needs, students overwhelmingly see what a difference they can make.”
Crystal Hanes, a junior sports and adventure media major, said it’s bigger than just one day.
“These students and staff have gone through so much tragedy in such a short period of time, so giving them a small sense of normalcy again and time to have fun with their peers is incredibly gratifying,” she said.
For more information about the equipment drive or how to support the effort, contact Elizabeth Oppe at Elizabeth.Oppe@mail.wvu.edu.