University of Oklahoma Students Volunteer at Central Park Community for Big Event

            Students at the University of Oklahoma participated in The Big Event on Saturday, April 21^st.  Student groups volunteered in the Norman and Oklahoma City areas going to animal shelters, parks, schools, and gardens.

            University students give back to the organizations that contribute to the community and to show them their appreciation.

            One student group attended the Central Park Community Garden in Oklahoma City to plant, clean, and recycle. “Closer To Earth” is a nonprofit group who plants and maintains gardens in the neighborhood. Allen Parleir is the founder of the organization and encourages the community to get involved to grow closer and create a beautiful neighborhood.

            “We invite people who need community service hours for school or through the state, and in almost every case they come back. Not because they need to, but because they want to,” Parleir said, “and eventually they can get jobs from us and get paid.”

            Students from the university worked with those volunteers to plant flowers in a garden. University of Oklahoma Junior, Ellen Burton, said she hopes to see the garden when it is completely finished in a few months. 

            “It’s a rewarding experience,” said Burton, “I can’t wait to come back and see what it looks like when it is finished. Or maybe I’ll come back to volunteer again before then.”

PHOTO: Kate Brandon