Second annual Festival of Humanity brings Dartmouth, community together
This year, the event will feature a variety of activities and family-friendly demonstrations, as well as a silent auction to support Team Taka, a student group that is helping in a $300,000 fund-raising initiative to build the Charfassion Orphanage in Bangladesh.
The second annual Festival of Humanity, to be held Sat., May 14, will bring Dartmouth students and Upper Valley residents together to celebrate a collective interest in community service. (photo by Joe Mehling '69)
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The festival "provides a context in which diverse groups and individuals can take ownership of a common project, each in their own unique way, while simultaneously bringing the Dartmouth and Upper Valley communities together in collective support for service," said Mathew Lemberger '06, Event Coordinator.
Benjamin Zimmerman '07, Alumni Coordinator for the event, added "While many campus events focus on the student body, the Festival is an ambitious event that caters to a broad audience. From students, faculty and administrators to Hanover residents, we strive to unite all facets of the Upper Valley under the twin spirits of community and service."
Last year's event consisted of a full day of performances by student ensembles, a free barbeque on the Green, face-painting, calligraphy, henna tattoos, a sushi-making workshop and a forestry team demonstration. The fund-raising portion of last year's festival-a silent auction, t-shirt sales, and donations-raised more than $4,000 for Dartmouth Habitat for Humanity. Don Derrick, Executive Director of Upper Valley Habitat, delivered a keynote address on the state of affordable housing in the region.
"The 2005 Festival of Humanity will build from last year's success," said Lemberger. "One goal this year is to reach more folks in the Upper Valley community, inviting them to attend and to participate. The long-term goal is to establish a collaborative tradition involving as much of the Dartmouth community as possible."
By SUSAN KNAPP
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