Community Day a hit with kids, grownups

Funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina were raised by sales of raffle tickets at Newark Community Day by members of the UD community, including Patty Campbell (center), an occupational therapist in UD’s Early Learning Center, and freshman Janet Cates, a speech therapist in the physical therapy department.

5:23 p.m., Sept. 21, 2005--Enjoying near-perfect weather conditions, visitors of all ages strolled The Green on Sunday, Sept. 18, to sample a wide variety of tasty treats and listen to some toe-tapping tunes during the 34th annual Newark Community Day.

The event also featured members of the UD men’s and women’s Fightin’ Blue Hen basketball squads, who shared their expertise with future hoop stars during their teams’ first-ever Community Day appearance.

Volunteers for U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle (Delaware) collected food donations for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The collection was part of an effort between Rep. Castle’s office and the Food Bank of Delaware, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross to kick off “Hunger Drive 2005.”

"We have had great success with our food drive throughout the state so far, and last Sunday was no exception. I was very pleased by the generosity of everyone at Newark Community Day,” Castle said. “The Food Bank of Delaware and my office are very appreciative of everyone who came out to show their support and give back to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.”

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a high-tech mobile recording studio and teaching tool for young musicians, also stopping by UD as part of Newark Community Day activities. On a yearlong tour, the bus gives young people a chance to tour the studios and participate in songwriting and multimedia production workshops.

The city of Newark, which has already pledged $5,000 to the American Red Cross, also accepted cash contributions to aid Hurricane Katrina relief events.

Youngsters enjoyed face painting, scarecrow making and mini-moto racing while grownups browsed the bazaar and flea market as part of the event’s harvest festival.

Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson

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