WESTFIELD– For the seventh consecutive year, Westfield State University will kick off its fall semester with Helping Out Our Town (HOOT) Day on Tuesday, September 6. Nearly 200 students have signed up for this annual day of community service for the businesses and organizations in the City of Westfield from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Westfield State University freshmen Ashley Russell, left, secures a ladder for Megan Fenton, both of Southwick, as Fenton washes the windows of the Westfield News building as part of Helping Out Our Town (HOOT) Day in 2012. Each year hundreds of students from Westfield State University volunteer their time to participate in the clean up project. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
“Westfield State’s HOOT Day reinforces our strong connection and commitment to the City of Westfield and provides the opportunity for the university to give back to our community and neighbors,” said President Ramon S. Torrecilha. “For our first-year students, this popular event provides a fitting introduction to the Westfield community.”
HOOT Day began in fall 2010 as a Circle K community service program. The program was designed to bring together Westfield State students and the City of Westfield as well as provide students with a way to learn about their new home for the next four years. The opportunity to participate was offered to first-year students during their orientation in the summer. Multiple offices were instrumental in getting this program underway including: Westfield State’s offices of Residential Life, Student Affairs, President’s Office and Institutional Advancement, Alumni Relations, and the City of Westfield School Department.
Students will be painting, gardening, cleaning and performing other volunteer service throughout the city. Hosting businesses include the Amelia Park Children’s Museum, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, Franklin Avenue Elementary School, Grandmother’s Garden, Stanley Park, the Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield City Hall, Westfield City Parks, The Westfield News Group, Westfield Parks and Recreation sites, Westfield Technical Academy, the Whip Building, and the YMCA of Greater Westfield.
“HOOT Day is an important part of the Westfield State experience because it’s a great way to welcome first-year students, welcome back matriculated students, and kick off another school year,” said Circle K President Madison Babula ’18 of Wilbraham, Mass. “Students get much satisfaction from lending a helping hand and the chance to work alongside community members who have similar passions.”
For the second year in a row, Westfield State University’s Community Radio 89.5 WSKB FM will be broadcasting live from the city’s Green. Launched in June 2014, Community Radio is now broadcast from 6 to 8 a.m., Monday through Saturday with additional programming throughout the week.
The day’s activities will begin with a brief ceremony on the city’s Green. City of Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan and members of Westfield State University leadership will provide remarks. For more information on HOOT Day, contact Brent Bean, director of Government and Corporate Relations, at (413) 485-7362 or [email protected].
