On Sunday, Nov. 16, the University of New England joined with
local non-profit Heart of Biddeford to help hang festive decorations in
downtown Biddeford and spread holiday cheer.
This now annual volunteer effort started eight years ago
when a local volunteer got in touch with various class presidents of different
schools to ask them if they’d have any interest in giving back with volunteer
work. Subsequently, UNE responded and Give Back, Get Lit was born.
Director of Student Resolution Anthony Montalbano said that
since then, UNE has had an annual collaboration with Heart of Biddeford.
“It’s a great opportunity to get downtown,” said Montalbano.
Typically members of the sophomore class volunteer to hang
the decorations up in the fall, while the juniors take them down in the spring.
“I think it’s a really good way to meet people and just get
involved,” UNE senior and business major Tighe Archambault said, “Everyone here
is really, really nice, so it’s fun to be a part of.
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University of New England student Tighe Archambault hanging
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Executive Director of Heart of Biddeford Delilah Poupore finds
the opportunity to give back to the community valuable, and encourages students
to get downtown more often as it helps them get familiar with the area and the
people.
“Once you’re volunteering in your community, it makes it
more approachable,” said Poupore. “So I think it’s a great way for students to
get to know their community and also it’s great for their business community
too.”
UNE students weren’t the only volunteers—Poupore said electrical
technology students from Biddeford Center of Technology ventured downtown to help
decorate many trees including the one in City Square.
The holiday decorations start at Mechanics Park, coming up
to Main Street, ending at Elm Street. Every tree from the base up was wrapped
in colorful lights with spheres hanging from the branches. This year, for the
first time, the organizers are experimenting with battery operated lights and
the spheres. In total, there are approximately 90 trees that have been
decorated and will be lit up this coming weekend thanks to all the help from
those who participated.
“There’s no way we
could do this without UNE’s students and the High School students,” said
Poupore. She continued with a genuine smile, “our goal is we want this to be a
place that people feel welcome to come to, feel happy that they’re in, and feel
a sense of community.”
Angelina Keizer is a student at University of New England
and a UNE Community News Fellow.
