JCC community day to get people outside

Jefferson Community College wants its students and the community at large to "Step Into Spring."

The spring community resources fair will take place from noon to 5 p.m. March 24 in the Jules Center Commons, off 1220 Coffeen St., and will give people an opportunity to receive information from nearly two dozen vendors on ways to have fun outdoors, for less.

"Most of the programs that fall under 'Step into Spring' will be attractive to anyone, but especially great for students and people looking for less expensive ways to just go out and have some fun," said Gail W. Miller, executive director of College Outreach at Jefferson Community College.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation, YMCA, Carthage Area Hospital, North Country Children's Clinic and Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County Inc. are just a few of the participating vendors. Representatives from Fort Drum's outreach office also will attend the event, Mrs. Miller said.

There will be hands-on activities and demonstrations, such as one on container gardening with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County employees.

The free fair isn't just about finding ways to have fun; it'll also help the participating vendors find summer employees, Mrs. Miller said.

"We're also encouraging them to come and recruit for volunteers and summer help," she said.

This is the first time the college will offer the community resources fair.

Mrs. Miller said that throughout the past several months, the College Outreach office has worked toward creating new ways to partner with the community. The partnership she said she's most excited about is the upcoming 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dollar Dinner, which will be held the same night as the community fair.

"The Dollar Dinner is a great opportunity for JCC to step up and join our neighbors who've been doing this for a long time," Mrs. Miller said.

Dinners will be prepared by the college's culinary students as a service learning project, and will be served in the Walker Instructional Dining Room. Takeouts will be available.