Sixteen Roane State Community College students are traveling to the most impoverished areas of two Central American countries to deliver greatly needed items, and they are seeking the community’s help.
The Service Learning in World Cultures class is seeking contributions of all types of school supplies and clothing. Students will be at the entrance of the historic Princess Theatre in downtown Harriman beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 10, to receive donations.
The college’s Arts and Lectures Committee is holding a free viewing of the film “Do the Right Thing” at 7 p.m. that night at the theater, located at 421 North Roane Street.
That award-winning comedy-drama, directed by Spike Lee, is often listed as among the greatest films of all time. The public is invited to view Friday’s screening.
Students delivering the contributions to Central America in May will be stationed at a booth outside the theater throughout the movie to accept donations.
The college’s Service Learning in World Cultures class took nine bags of donations to Costa Rica and Panama last year. “We’re looking to top that this time,” said David E. Rath, who has been with Roane State students on 12 previous service learning journeys to Central America.
Rath is an associate professor of Business, Management, and International Studies at Roane State.
Cash donations are also requested to defray the $50 per container cost for transporting the donations to Costa Rica and Panama.
Students in the program “travel to the remote areas of these countries and target the most impoverished areas,” Rath said. They live in villages during their 10-day stay and earn three credit hours for their service learning work.
All types of school supplies are requested, including crayons, pens, paper, and coloring books. Donations of new and lightly used clothing for elementary through college-aged students are also sought.
Those unable to attend the movie but wanting to donate items or money are asked to contract Cody Villarreal or Rath at (865) 354-3000, extension 4333, for Oak Ridge pickup, or Elizabeth Hill at (865) 882-4595 for Roane County pickup.
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