Plant and play for Earth Day
By Morgan Dickens
An assortment of ice cream, arts and crafts, and tabling resources on wellness and sustainability were displayed on the Campus Mall for all of Rider to indulge in, taking a break from their daily activities.
With finals around the corner, the annual Rider Care Fair took place on April 22, an event featuring organizations, such as the Office of Sustainability and the Student Government Association in celebration of Earth Day.
Hundreds of Rider students and faculty gathered on a windy day at the Campus Mall to enjoy various activities from pet adoptions to massage chairs, all accompanied by feel-good music courtesy of the 107.7 The Bronc.
“Feel free to check out our other tables,” said graduate assistant Jaime Brennan. “We have bottle painting … and we also have a swap shop [where students can donate and exchange clothes], so if you want to take anything it’s all free.”
Brennan, a member of the Office of Sustainability, managed the plant propagation table with a variety of plants to “suit your fancy.” While granting plant care tips, she trimmed, potted and watered a cute little sample of an aloe vera to participants. Brennan shared how aloe is a great way to treat sun burns and is good for skin care.
The event featured tables from the SGA, Office of Sustainability, Rider clubs and local organizations such as the Lawrence Township Health Department.
“I would like to help people, whether it’s mental health, whether it’s LGBTQ information … to spread education,” said Gina Breth of the Lawrence Township Health Department.
Breth shared her view on the importance of stress relief and taking care of one’s mental health. With two children of her own, one of them being in college, she recognized the stress that comes with finals, and promoted facilities in her department that do not require health care to schedule an appointment. They accept them by phone call along with other resources being free.
Zeta Tau Alpha made a return as advocates for breast cancer education and awareness. sophomore criminal justice major Riely Diehl and sophomore digital marketing major Presley Balmer shared their hopes to involve people in their bra drive and to donate to women’s shelters.
“We’re really just trying to be women supporting women,” said Diehl.
Diehl shared a statistic, “One in eight women in their life get breast cancer.” Along with raising money, shining a light on similar statistics is an important part of their goal to help women in need.
Another program promoted at the event was Clean Water Action, an environmental organization that protects rights to clean air, water and environment. Representative Marta Young happily shared her passion on their initiatives such as Skip the Stuff.
Skip the Stuff is a campaign in which restaurants provide cutlery per the customers requests. Through this initiative, plastic waste is reduced and businesses save money. According to Young, this initiative is working on a state level with almost 20 ordinances passed.
“It prevents all that stuff from going into landfills and incinerators that are very toxic,” said Young.
Young passionately expressed her concerns on the effects of plastic pollution and how it is affecting younger generations through infertility problems. According to Young, plastic pollution also has effects on one’s mental health and shows signs of causing cancer.
Young is a strong advocate to get the younger generation involved in combating this issue to ensure the safety of one’s mental and physical health by preserving clean air and water.
“You have to be your own best advocate,” said Young. “You need to protect your generation from cancer and infertility problems. You got to protect yourselves.”
