(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) April 16, 2009 - South University's faculty, staff and students will team up in a broad effort to Help Our Neighbors in during the National Week of Service April 19 to 25, 2009. The faculty, staff and students at South University are no strangers to community service. Since its inception, South University has been actively involved to community outreach with various projects ranging from health fairs to building houses with Habitat for Humanity.
During the National Week of Service, the South University - West Palm Beach campus will assemble a team of volunteers to paint two different houses for community residents, who are identified as elderly, disabled or low income. The Paint Your Heart Out initiative is organized through the United Way, and South University students, faculty and staff will cooperatively raise their paint brushes to help neighbors in need. The dates for the Paint Your Heart Out program April 22 and 23, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The second initiative being held during the National Week of Service is a donation drive to benefit a local nursing home that serves as a clinical practice site for many of South University's nursing students. The residents are in need of personal items, including gender-specific clothing and toiletries. Collected items will be delivered to the nursing home at the conclusion of the week by a volunteer team comprised of students and staff members.
"The faculty and staff were eager to participate in the National Week of Service because they understand the value of service learning and what it means to our students," South University President David McGuire, said. "South University has a long history in West Palm Beach County and giving back to this community this the right thing to do."
Established in 1899, South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University offers educational programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels with campuses located in Columbia, S.C.; Montgomery, Ala.; Savannah, Ga.; Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla. Further information on South University is available at: www.southuniversity.edu.