Relay for Life

Jack Newkirk Squadron
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Most students wouldn’t be happy to stay up for an entire day if they didn’t have to, but from April 25-26th Jack Newkirk Squadron cadets worked for twenty four hours with smiles on their faces to fight cancer in last year’s Relay for Life hosted by RPI. Our entire squadron, along with our newly founded Silver Wings counterparts in the George M. Low Chapter, spent the day (and night) walking and running around the school’s track to raise money, promote cancer awareness, and celebrate the lives of cancer survivors.
In the weeks leading up to the event, AAS and SW members raised over one-thousand dollars for the American Cancer Society and spent hours planning for the occasion. At the Relay itself, groups of members walked the track in hourly shifts. Those who were not on the track took part in the rest of the festivities, which included music and comedy acts, food, and carnival games. This service project presented an excellent opportunity for us to interact with the multitude of other service groups that are on campus. We have always been trying to get the AAS name out on campus and within our community, and taking part campus wide projects like the Relay for Life have certainly been helping with this goal. The Relay for Life was also one of the first service projects where were worked side by side with SW members. Throughout the night our squadron and the chapter truly bonded as a team, and we are definitely looking forward to working with each other in the future.
Jack Newkirk Squadron has participated in the Relay for Life since it was initially brought to our campus in 2006, and we are already making plans for this year’s Relay. With the JNP in mind, our squadron hopes to raise over three-thousand dollars this year. We are looking forward to this great opportunity to do our part in the fight for a cure.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

On 05 SEP 2008, the Capt. Lance P. Sijan Squadron and several of their peers from AFROTC Detachment 355, Boston University participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. The walk spanned six miles, taking the cadets through the BU campus and Cambridge via scenic route that featured the inspiring beauty of the Charles River, despite the persistently cloudy weather of the day. Numerous signs along the walk kept the walkers thinking with some surprising statistics about breast cancer, as well as tips to help in early detection of the disease. Quite a few other walkers helped crowd the Boston streets as well, creating a sea of white and pink activists aiding the fight against the pain caused by breast cancer. A large gathering of festivities established itself at the start/finish of the route, keeping a festive atmosphere, but no one did a better job at maintaining the energy level than the numerous cheerleaders scattered along the walk route, who consistently motivated the walkers despite the long walk. By the end of the walk, the cadets had finished the full route, and even walked several additional miles back to their respective homes. No walk is too long for the Sijan Squadron when it comes to serving with excellence.

–AAS C/1^st. Lt. Timothy Wolfe

Captain Lance. P. Sijan Squadron PA

Robert P. Halloran Arnies DO WORK! on the Roadside

The Arnold Air Society of Syracuse University has adopted a mile stretch of highway just outside of Jamesville, NY on route 173. As many of our Squadron’s ragtag band of only fourteen members that were available pulled together on the morning of Saturday, 4 Oct 08 and rallied at our section of highway with a solitary mission: DO WORK! We arrived at 10 a.m. geared with sweatshirts, latex gloves and plastic bags ready to make big moves. We took an eventful hour and a half march down a mile and back enjoying the company of our companions and the do-good feeling of community service. The short escapade turned out to be quite the adventure characterized by the excitement of a pumpkin farm, horses, and of course the minor mishap of getting stuck in the bushes.

As we trudged along the sleepy, small-town highway, we accumulated all of the waste, carelessly pitched along the disheveled roadside. We collected a variety of items including old bottles, cigarette butts and boxes, rotting cardboard boxes and an assortment of plastic bags. As our hike was coming to a close, we momentarily stopped and admired the pumpkin sale, and thereafter, had a chat with the horses next door. Cadet Lee took particular interest in a tree she was actually taller than as she picked up a bottle beneath its boughs. When our highway was pristine and sparkling with vivacity, we gathered in front of our highway sign with pride and reflected on our pile of garbage. We concluded the morning with a pit stop at Dave’s Diner in Manlius, NY and discussed our possible future plans for the semester, including the Breast Cancer Walk to be participated in the following morning.

We will be revisiting our highway before the lake affects Syracuse with its entourage of snow, when non-biodegradable garbage could be potentially trapped underneath. It was an enjoyable experience and a good way to kick off our semester and get us pumped and ready to tackle bigger projects as the week s roll on.

Service Project Ideas to Jumpstart the Semester

If you need help coming up with a project to jumpstart the semester, follow this link to the project ideas database.  In the future, we will post Area 1’s sucessful projects.

http://arnold-air.org/useful-info/project-ideas/service/

Service Projects

This category contains information relevant to service projects.