Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News

John Ehlke/ Senior Photographer [Click to enlarge]

Student organizations proved they could let their hearts do the talking on Monday afternoon.

A variety of CMU sororities, fraternities, graduate student classes and clubs participated in the "Have a Heart" project, sponsored by the Isabella County Commission on Aging.

Students stuffed and packed 150 care packages, which will be distributed to senior citizens in every township of Isabella County.

"We've always had wonderful support from all the student organizations on campus," said Ginny Cain, coordinator of volunteers.

The commission does its best to brighten the days of various homebound senior citizens, Cain said.

The care packages are put together assembly-line style by a handful of representatives from a several student organizations.

Some groups, including the CMU softball team and local area businesses, help with the final distribution of the goods.

Royal Oak sophomore Ryan Vaughan, service chair of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, was one of the students who helped out Monday.

Vaughan said she saw the event posted on the volunteer Web site for CMU.

"I sent Ginny Cain an e-mail and told her if she needed to help to let us know," she said.

The packages contain enough food for seven meals, as well as personal care items, paper products and homemade valentines.

Each basket costs about $25.22, bringing the total of the project to a little less that $3,800.

The money to cover that cost is raised through community donations.

Troy junior Chris Mankowski heard of the event from the vice president of his fraternity, Sigma Pi.

"It allows us to give back to the community and help people who need help," Mankowski said.



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