With Reading Week just around the corner, Brock students are being encouraged to begin and end their time off by giving back to the community.

Through the Alternative Reading Week (ARW) – Local program, students aim to positively impact the Niagara community in a similar way to the ARW outreach trips in Peru and South Carolina happening at the same time. This year, student volunteers will be heading to Heartland Forest to help out with the Niagara Falls nature centre’s Winterfest event. Happening Monday, Feb. 19, Winterfest is an educational and family friendly event featuring vendors, environmental and astronomy experts, food trucks, bouncy castles, train rides and a scavenger hunt.

Brock’s ARW – Local volunteers will be helping indoors and outdoors with activities, learning stations, ticket sales, door prizes, maintenance and refreshments.

At the other end of Reading Week, on Saturday, Feb. 24, the entire Brock community is invited to take part in the Coldest Night of the Year.

The walk of two, five or 10 kilometres through downtown St. Catharines raises money for Start Me Up Niagara, a local outreach centre that serves people who are experiencing significant life challenges such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, addictions and mental illness.

Kristen Smith, Brock’s Manager of Community Outreach Programs, encouraged students to add a rewarding volunteer experience to their Reading Week calendar.

“We want students to know they can still participate in Alternative Reading Week activities in Niagara,” she said. “Local projects allow students to make connections with community partners that they can continue to support throughout the year.

To learn more about Alternative Reading Week – Local, visit Experience BU.

To participate in the Coldest Night of the Year, register online.