Dozens of Western Michigan students 'spring into the streets' Saturday for volunteer work

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Eugenia Cunningham and Donna Ellithorpe could have spent Saturday afternoon studying or hanging out with friends.

Instead, they were power-washing dirty seed trays at the Kalamazoo Nature Center so the trays can be re-used for seedlings at the center's Delano Farm.

"I find a lot of joy in this," said Cunningham, who, like Ellithorpe, is a junior at Western Michigan University.

"It's great to get off campus and see another part of the community," agreed Ellithorpe. who is from suburban Flint. "It's a chance for us to reach out and make this our home."

In recent years, the annual event was coordinated with Greek Week, which brought in hundreds of volunteers, organizer Katherine Bates said. A scheduling problem prevented that coordination this year, which meant a dramatic drop in participants.

Still, there were enough students to send to a dozen places around Kalamazoo, including the Nature Center.

Lucy Reese, manager of Delano Farm, said she welcomed the help.

"It's great to have volunteers, as long as they're willing to get dirty," she said.

That was no problem for the 11 volunteers at her site, including Ben Hakizwuwizeye, 24, a native of Rwanda who is now studying occupational therapy and social work at WMU.

"I love doing this," he said, as he sorted out seed trays for cleaning. "I love getting outside and putting my hands in dirt."

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Dozens of Western Michigan students 'spring into the streets' Saturday for volunteer work