Community comes out to Do It in the Dark

On Saturday night, West Virginia University and the greater Morgantown community came out in support of Amizade's "Do It in the Dark" event.


Amizade, a partner organization of WVU, provides students with global service-learning programs.


Kicking off the activities with a shot from his gun was WVU Mountaineer Michael Squires, who commented on Amizade's importance in relation to WVU's Diversity Week.


"Study abroad blows open doors to new worlds, new cultures and so many other things," he said. "The University (headed) up oneWVU with Diversity Week, and not only do we need to celebrate our diversity and get over our prejudices, but we should explore new cultures abroad."


The event, "Do It In The Dark," was held on the Monongahela River Rail Trail and included a one-mile walk, a 5K run or a 20-mile bike ride.

All money raised goes toward global service-learning scholarships for students and program funding for the organization.


Participants could also fundraise for their own trip abroad with Amizade, yet the event was geared toward raising awareness for global concerns and programs - such as those in Jamaica, Arizona's Navajo Nation, Auschwitz, Poland, Ghana and the South American Andes.


Numerous organizations, clubs and academic departments were represented at the event.

Eight members of WVU's ROTC came to the Rail Trail to support a friend and the Amizade cause by running the 5K race with their "ruck sacks," which are 35-pound backpacks.


"We thought we would come out, make some donations and get a workout," said Andrew Lang, a criminology major and member of the ROTC.

Members from WVU's cycling team also participated.

"We thought it would be a great opportunity to have a fun ride and help a good cause," said Chad Lowers, a junior political science major.

The event included participants from 18 to 58 years old, and it wasn't just students and Morgantown residents in attendance. Supporters from Pittsburgh, where Amizade has another office, and preregistered participants from Bridgeport, Fairmont, Clarksburg and Hundred, W.Va. also came out for the night.


The community turnout parallels one of Amizade's strong points - its close connections with host city communities.

"The most unique thing about Amizade is that it really focuses on communities in two ways," said Emma Bryne, an Amizade intern and secondary education junior. "First, it focuses on community-driven service so that everything volunteers do is relevant to the community they're working in. And second, they have the volunteers live in the community where they're working so you get to know the families and the neighbors. You're an insider and can see first hand that you're helping."


Sponsors included Carolina's Market and Deli, the West Virginia Brewing Company and Giant Eagle.


Winners received iPods donated from parents of Students Going Global members.

Volunteers and sponsors thought the event was a success and attracted much more participants than anticipated.

"I had no idea so many people were going to come. We had 39 preregistered community members," Byrne said.

By the end of the night, coordinators estimated that about 80 people participated in all.

One volunteer, who was initially told about Amizade by his girlfriend, summed up the general feeling among supporters, participants and volunteers.


"I'm here for Morgantown, ... and to further the Amizade cause," said Josh Snyder, a Do It In the Dark volunteer.


danielle.clements@mail.wvu.edu