Campbell Volunteers Turn Out for Harnett County Children

     Members of Campbell University’s Family and Consumer Sciences Club volunteered their services, April 3-9, at the Harnett County Partnership for Children’s celebration of the Week of the Young Child, an annual event honoring America’s children sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
     The student and adult volunteers associated with Campbell aided the Partnership for Children (HCPC) and scores of other local agencies with vital health screenings such as dental, vision, hearing, speech and developmental, as well as numerous other activities that benefited children and their parents. Many opportunities for fun and fellowship were also included in the event-hot dogs and cotton candy, rides like the Moonwalk and the Super Slide, hair painting, hand painting, gymnastic and martial arts demonstrations, display booths and much more.
     “Our goal as an organization is to get all children ready for school, to prepare them to be successful in school and in life through health, education and family support,” said Jill Murphy, a Campbell alumna and Community Awareness coordinator for the HCPC. “I think the week’s activities helped us get a little closer to that goal.”
     Approximately 250 children and their parents attended the event, which was held in the parking lot of the Department of Social Services in Lillington. Campbell volunteers manned a booth on nutrition and assisted wherever they were needed
     “There were so many volunteers who are affiliated with Campbell in one way or another,” said Murphy. “All of them were extremely helpful.”
    Student volunteers included Lynn Blalock, president of the Family and Consumer Sciences Club; Abby Arrington, vice president; Ryan Galatioto; Lauren Blaylock; Anthony Atkinson; and Dr. Pauline Calloway, child development coordinator for Campbell’s School of Education and advisor to the club.
     Adult volunteers included Campbell Trustee Ester Howard; staff members Angela Rivera and husband, Steve; Dawn Phillips and children, Allison and Alec; Kathy Crenshaw and daughter, Shelley; Gloria Latta and daughter, Roni Stanley; Traci Pierce and husband; Steve; Katie McNeil and husband, Daniel; Deborah Ennis; Elaine Tart; Campbell student Heather Grabowski; and Carolyn Greene, wife of Dr. Dwaine Greene, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost.
     This is the third time Campbell’s Family and Consumer Sciences Club has worked with the Week of the Young Child event, an experience that teaches students both professional and people skills, according to Calloway. “Our students perform a lot of work in the community. They’re always involved in community awareness projects and networking efforts that provide opportunities for professional growth and development,” she said. Senior, Lynn Blalock, and junior, Abby Arrington, also served on the planning committee for the event.
     The Harnett County Partnership for children is an affiliate of NAEYC, the largest organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of early education programs for children.


Photo Copy: Members of Campbell University’s Family and Consumer Sciences Club man a booth dealing with proper nutrition at the Week of the Young Child, an event celebrating America’s children. From left, Lauren Blaylock, Ryan Galatioto, Lynn Blalock (standing), Dr. Pauline Calloway, and Anthony Atkinson.
 

Bulletin 0096-4/15/05