The Hawk Rock 2012 Project, the student community service campaign to benefit agencies addressing homelessness and hunger in Indiana, is rolling out more awareness- and fund-raising events, leading to a dance-a-thon finale, March 30–31.
Members of the Hawk Rock student committee and some of their sponsors. Front: Jasmine Jordan; Mary Ann Zamais, representing the Indiana Mall; Ken Williams; Jess Stewart; Nicole Moomaw. Back: Mindy Stipe, Casandra Ace, Nichole Buck, Jamie Czech, Malia Lazor, Courtney R. Burns, Cassie Confer, Sarah Stauffer. photo courtesy of Indiana Gazette
A donation campaign has students positioned with collection cans in the Hadley Union Building, March 19–31, with the goal of collecting $1 from all IUP students.
A food drive will take place at BiLo and Giant Eagle in Indiana, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., March 23–25. Students will hold a rally with games, music, and prizes in the Oak Grove on March 28.
The grand finale: The Hawk Rock dance-a-thon, 9:00–9:00 p.m., March 30–31, in the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. See event schedule
With the theme “Raise It. Dance It. Share It,” the Hawk Rock Project aims to build awareness of homelessness and hunger in the community and to celebrate the spirit of fundraising.
All proceeds benefit the Indiana County Community Action Program Food Bank–Pathways Shelter; the Community Kitchen meal program; and Family Promise of Indiana County, which provides temporary housing, counseling and meals to homeless and low-income families as they work to achieve independence.
The project is directed by the student Hawk Rock Committee and coordinated through the IUP Office of Service Learning. Fourteen students are members of the committee, and 35 more are actively involved with the project, according to student and committee chair Malia Lazor. Many student organizations also are participating.
“Not only will we actively work to raise funds for these agencies through the dance-a-thon and related events,” Lazor said, “but the dance-a-thon also will be a time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of student groups who have done volunteer work to help the homeless and feed the hungry.”
The dance-a-thon is open to the community. Everyone's invited to come and cheer on the dancers. A $5 donation is requested for one-time admission; a $10 donation provides 24-hour admission and a T-shirt.
Dancers can register for a $20 donation, which includes a T-shirt and food during the marathon. Dancers can enter as individuals, pairs, or groups.
Dancers may register at the Hawk Rock web site or at the door or by calling the Office of Service Learning at (724) 357-3103.
Dancers also are encouraged to raise funds before the event. Any individual or group raising $100 or more before the event and in addition to their registration donation will have an opportunity to dance on stage and be on the Ed Fry Arena jumbotron.
The Indiana Mall and Sheetz are corporate sponsors. The Coney is the community sponsor. Other sponsors include Grubs, Indiana Mid-Day Rotary, Moreau Technical Services, Tom's Pizza, and Simply the Best DJ Services by Corey Best.
Last fall, the Hawk Rock Project hosted a two-mile run/walk, the Hawk Rock Trot, that drew 49 participants, raised $500 and collected 102 food items for the food bank. Fraternities and sororities collected almost 400 food items and $520 through a community food drive.