Interschool Walk for Warmth Engages Schoolchildren

Students from Eastern Connecticut State University volunteered at five elementary schools throughout the Windham area on Oct. 23 for the annual Interschool Walk for Warmth. The awareness-raising event for local schoolchildren focuses on energy sustainability and physical fitness. Eastern’s involvement coincided with “Connecticut Public Higher Education Make a Difference Week,” which ran from Oct. 18–24.

The Interschool Walk for Warmth is a collaborative effort between Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE) and Windham Public Schools. Led by 51 student-volunteers, children made arts and crafts with recycled materials and participated in various physical activities, from running to floor exercises.
“I’m so blessed to work with these kids,” said Lindsay Poulos, a social work major and student leader with the CCE. “They want to learn. They’re so little, but they want to better themselves. I’m impressed with how insightful they are.”

The interschool event is a children’s version of the community-wide Walk for Warmth, which is set to occur on Nov. 22 at Saint Mary’s Church in Willimantic. In addition to raising awareness of issues of poverty and energy sustainability, the Walk for Warmth raises funds for the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry’s (WAIM) energy assistance program.

Written by Michael Rouleau

Categories: Community Engagement