August 23, 2001
University Park, Pa. — Freshmen and change-of-assignment students will have the opportunity to make a smoother transition into life at Penn State while lending the community a helping hand by participating in Fresh Start 2001, on Saturday, Aug. 25.

            More than 300 students took part in the event last year. This year, event chairperson Jessica Carley anticipates more than 600 students will volunteer at 50 sites around the region, including Shaver’s Creek, State College Food Bank, The AIDS Project and local nursing homes.

            Students will arrive at 11:45 a.m. Saturday at HUB Alumni Hall and Anne Riley, Board of Trustees member and former Alumni Association president, will speak at 12:10 to kick off the event. Students will return around 4 p.m. when they will enjoy free pizza and partake in their own involvement fair.

            Students may sign-up for Fresh Start throughout the week at the HUB-Robeson Center or their local residence hall commons. The event is co-presented by the AT&T Center for Service Leadership and is coordinated by Lions Share, a student organization that helps students, faculty and staff find long-term volunteer opportunities in State College and the surrounding areas.

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Contact:  Allison Kessler at (814) 865-7517 or e-mail aek143@psu.edu.