Students can participate in Y-Days through a variety of service activities, both on and off campus, during the week of Sept. 12-17.
Jeffrey Furlong, Program Director for Y-Days, said raising awareness and creating a culture of service are the goals of this year’s Y-Days.
“Students can find out that there are tons of ways to do service,” Furlong said. “There’s not just one way to do service. During the week students can participate in the following events:
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Tuesday — Booths will have service opportunities from 12 – 2 p.m. all over campus.
Wednesday — Y-Days Service fair in Brigham Square from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thursday — Booths will have service opportunities all over campus. The Best Buddies program starts at 5 p.m.
Friday — Adopt-a-Grandparent dance.
Saturday — Day of Service event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Light breakfast will be served.
The booths will be at the Kimball Tower, Marigold Quad, Richards Building Quad, Cannon Center and Brigham Square.
“Booths are easy for the student schedule, if you can’t make the evening activities, you can serve at a booth during the day,” said Megan Crawley, a Program Director for Y-Days.
Other events that are being held include: Service Squad, Clubs Night and Locks of Love.
The Best Buddies activity on Thursday night and the Adopt-a-Grandparent dance on Friday are highlights, Crawley said. The Best Buddies activity will include bingo and ball games.
“It’s a lifestyle, not just a project,” said Furlong.
Students are encouraged to make service a regular part of their lives, not just a once a year activity. Furlong was asked about his thoughts on the importance of students participating in service.
“Service creates unity,” Furlong said. “I think every student is trying to find their own niche on campus, which is good. We need diversity, but service is unifying. We can all feel good about doing this together.”
The Center for Service and Learning is working together with BYUSA and the Student Alumni organization to put together Y-Days this year.
Furlong describes the heart and soul of Y-Days to be the Day of Service event on Sept. 17 beginning at 9 a.m. As many as 2,500 volunteers are needed for this event. Volunteers will be served a light breakfast and activities will end by 2 p.m. so students can attend the BYU vs. University of Utah football game.
Y-Days is a remembrance of those who made the Y on the mountain in 1906, and who whitewashed the Y every year. Now, every year a week long service event is held to honor those in the past that served BYU campus and the community, said Brittany Saltou, a Program Director for Y-Days.
“Our world stays on campus,” said Furlong. “This year we’re changing our focus so that students are looking out in to the Provo community.”
