A group of highly engaged Brock University students are strengthening relationships with local community partners by hosting the first-ever Brock Bazaar during this year’s Brock Cares Day of Service.

The Brock Leaders Citizenship Society (BLCS), one of two honour societies at Brock, is inviting community members and organizations to rummage through their home items and sell them on campus as part of the annual day of service on Sept. 10.

“We always have students out in the community, but this time we want to give people and organizations the opportunity to be on campus with our students and see the great things Brock does for Niagara,” said BLCS member and project lead Megan Brown.

Tables at the Bazaar are available for $15, with all proceeds funding Alternative Reading Week bursaries for Brock students. Community members will keep what they make from selling their items. Activities for kids and families, a BBQ and cotton candy, as well as crafts and face painting will also be taking place throughout the day.

The Bazaar is one of several events taking place on Brock Cares Day of Service, with hundreds of students heading out to 22 different community organizations in Grimsby, St. Catharines, Thorold, Welland, Port Colborne and Niagara Falls to participate in Brock’s largest service day.

Organized by Student Life and Community Experience and the Brock University Students’ Union, Brock Cares “provides students the opportunity to get involved and make a difference in Niagara,” said community outreach and volunteer co-ordinator Sarah Salt.

“We hope this event will allow students to foster connections within the local community.”

Brock Cares Day of Service saw 128 students volunteer within 14 organizations in 2014, completing more than 800 service hours. Due to inclement weather, the event was cancelled in 2015.

To participate in Brock Cares, visit experiencebu.brocku.ca. To purchase a table for the Brock Bazaar, visit brockbazaar.eventbrite.com