The following release was written by student intern Kacie Murray, Lumberport, W.Va., a public relations major.
West Liberty University will celebrate “Random Acts of Kindness Week” from Feb. 10 – 14. Coordinated by the Office of Housing and Student Life, a variety of student activities to encourage kindness and courtesy will take place on campus and in the community.
Senior Jennifer Young, Nitro, W.Va., and sophomore Allie Howard, Glen Dale, W.Va., display the banner designed by junior Jessica Wilson.
“We could all use a little more kindness and our office wants to encourage thoughtfulness and compassion,” said Jim Compston, area coordinator for First Year Residential Experience, Housing and Student Life.
The week will begin on Monday, Feb. 10, with “Kick Off to Kindness.” The first event will start at 9 a.m. with a hot chocolate giveaway in the Main Hall Breezeway and will pick up again at 8 p.m. with a free movie complete with popcorn in each of the residence halls.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, will “Share the Love” from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. with a kindness fair. Activities will include the CORE Give a Heart organ donation sign up, Send Some Love, Valentines for Vets, Help A Friend in Need, Safety Connecting, Senior Sweet Hearts and Magazines for a Cure (donations of magazines to hospitals).
At 8 p.m., Tuesday the students will host WL Idol, an on-campus talent show, now in its second week of competition. Last week it drew several hundred students to the College Union for the entertainment.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, is all about “Taste the Love” and will feature a Chili Cook Off from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m in the Student Union Ballroom. Chili chefs include student, faculty and staff and recipes will run the gamut from hot and spicy to secret family recipes. Money collected from this event will be donated to an area soup kitchen.
A Sailor, Nurse Kiss Contest will also be happening at the same time in the Alumni Room, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. This event invites couples to model the Times Square kiss image made famous at the close of World War II by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Competing kissers will pose, a photograph will be snapped and students will then vote on the kiss photos. The winning couple’s photograph will then be used in promotions for WLU’s Great Gala annual fundraiser, coming up at Oglebay Resort on Saturday, April 12.
Thursday, Feb. 13, encourages “Bringing the Love” with a Beyond the Wall Poster sale from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the College Union Ballroom.
Later, from 3 – 6 p.m., Feb. 13, WLU students will give away rubber duckies to children at Mount de Chantal Kroger, during the “Rubber Ducks for Kids” event.
Festivities will conclude on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14, with a encouragement to “Continue Caring” from 9 a.m. – noon with free donuts in the Union. The Beyond the Wall Poster Sale will also continue from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Feb. 14, in the College Union Ballroom.
For more information please email Compston at jcompston@westliberty.edu or 304.336.8427.