Clothing Swap to Kick Off Host of 'Blue Goes Green' Week Activities

April 16, 2012

Plans are under way for a bigger-than-ever Blue Goes Green week, the annual celebration where the Old Dominion University community recognizes Earth Day with a campus-wide blitz of environmental, sustainable activities.

"This campus amazes me," said Tami Park Farinholt, director of the Center for Service and Civic Engagement in ODU's Office of Student Activities and Leadership. "Every year, more diverse and dynamic events are added to Blue Goes Green week. We're so proud of our campus community - especially our students - for being so engaged in the world around them."

Farinholt said the Go Green Committee has been working for months to make Blue Goes Green week the most dynamic event possible.

Here's a list of the scheduled activities:

• Monday, April 16 to Tuesday, April 17: Go Green Clothing Swap, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hampton/Newport News Room, Webb Center

One person's trash is another person's treasure! Swap out your new/gently used items with someone else at the Go Green Clothing Swap. Items will be collected in the Center for Service and Civic Engagement starting April 1. Each item donated gives you a token to collect one item at the swap on Monday and Tuesday. All items accepted (please only items in working order).

Sponsored by: Go Green Committee and the Career Management Center

• Tuesday, April 17: Go Green Vender Fair and Organic Food Festival, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kaufman Mall

Test your knowledge in the Go Green Obstacle Course and then stop by the Go GREEN Vendor Fair to network with local agencies/nonprofits, shop with local vendors, taste some organic fare and enter to win several raffle prizes, including a spring subscription to CSA @ ODU.

Sponsored by: Center for Service and Civic Engagement, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, and Aramark

• Tuesday, April 17: Research Poster Presentations, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kaufman Mall

Come learn about the sustainability research activities of faculty, students and community organizations.

Sponsored by: Go Green Committee

• Wednesday, April 18: Recycle Life! American Red Cross Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hampton/Newport News Room, Webb Center

Explore sustainability in a new way by recycling life through a blood donation. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, visit www.givelife.org and use the sponsor code ODU.

Sponsored by: Sigma Nu fraternity, Alpha Phi, the Red Cross Club and the Center for Service and Civic Engagement

• Wednesday, April 18: Waterway Clean-up, 2 p.m., Elizabeth River shoreline (behind Whitehurst Hall), 12:30 p.m., Lafayette River shoreline (behind Rogers Hall)

Join fellow members of the campus community as they green our neighboring waterways. To volunteer visit http://www.odu.edu/forms_admin/viewform.php?formid=3878.

Sponsored by: Office of Environmental Health and Safety, the Student National Environmental Health Association and the Center for Service and Civic Engagement

• Wednesday, April 18: Organic vs. Local Wine and Beer Tasting, 4-6 p.m., James/Lynnhaven River Room, Webb Center

Guests will explore the topic of which is better for the environment, local or organic beer and wine, and sample various products. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Office of Student Activities and Leadership, 1071 Webb Center. Each taster will receive a complimentary wine glass and beer-tasting glass. All money from ticket sales will be donated to the Elizabeth River Project. Participants can also bring wine corks to recycle with ReCORK America. You must be 21 in order to purchase tickets and attend the event.

Sponsored by: Aramark and the Student Affairs Go Green Committee

• Thursday, April 19: ODUPD Annual Bike Auction, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Mall, Webb Center

Join the ODU Police Department for the annual Bike Auction, where they will auction off recovered bikes and other items for as little as $10. Cash only. After purchasing a bike, drop by the Outdoor Adventure Program's table for an evaluation on bike performance, and get recommendations and quick fixes. For more information call 683-6528.

Sponsored by: ODU Police Department (Community Policing and Crime Prevention Division), Bike ODU and the Outdoor Adventure Program

• Thursday, April 19: ODU Trash Audit, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Recycling Center parking lot

A day's worth of ODU trash will be dumped in the Recycling Center parking lot, and volunteers can slap on the gloves to sort the trash and evaluate how well ODU is doing at recycling.

Sponsored by: Recycling Center and the Center for Service and Civic Engagement

• Thursday, April 19: Recycle Life! Bone Marrow Drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hampton/Newport News Room, Webb Center

Explore sustainability in a new way by registering as a bone marrow donor. One cheek swab could be the key to saving one of the more than 6,000 people a day who need life-saving bone marrow.

Sponsored by: ODU Football and ODU Athletics

• Thursday, April 19: EcoReps Interest Meeting, 5-6 p.m., U Center Conference Room, Webb Center

Are you interested in the Go Green movement and want to be involved in sustainability efforts? EcoReps is the student voice behind sustainability at ODU. Stop by the interest meeting to learn about what you can do for the sustainability movement at ODU.

Sponsored by: EcoReps and the Center for Service and Civic Engagement

• Friday, April 20: CSA @ ODU Open House, 4-6 p.m., North Cafeteria patio, Webb Center

Are you interested in learning more about community supported agriculture and the CSA @ ODU program? Join us for a sneak peek along with a free cookout-style social. Five Points Community Farm Market will also be selling produce for those who are not yet CSA @ ODU subscribers.

Sponsored by: Aramark, Five Points Community Farm Market and the Center for Service and Civic Engagement

• Friday, April 20: Electronics Recycling Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Recycling Center

Recycle your techno-trash by dropping your unwanted electronics off at ODU.

Sponsored by: Recycling Center and the Center for Service and Civic Engagement

• Friday, April 20: ODU Arbor Day Celebration, everywhere on campus

Join us as we celebrate Arbor Day at ODU by planting trees on campus. To volunteer, visit volunteer@odu.edu.

Sponsored by: Grounds department and the Center for Service and Civic Engagement

• Sunday, April 22: Climb Green at the SRC Climbing Wall, 5-11 p.m., Student Recreation Center

Come to the SRC Climbing Wall wearing green in support of Mother Nature and receive a green treat. No sign-ups needed, just come out and climb. All skill levels welcome.

Sponsored by: Outdoor Adventure Program.

For more information on how to get involved with Blue Goes Green week, contact the Center for Service and Civic Engagement at 683-6948 or volunteer@odu.edu.