CU-Lock Haven Social Work Club Sponsors Halloween Pumpkin Painting Event

It is mid-semester for Commonwealth University-Lock Haven students and as a way to help manage stress, the Social Work Club sponsored a pumpkin painting event to bring the spirit and fun of the Halloween season to Lock Haven students.

Dr. Steven Granich and professor Tulare Park, club co-advisors, worked with the club board members to sponsor the Oct. 4 event, which was held at the Alumni Pavilion on the Commons and benefitted children in the local community.

Two Social Work Club members purchased 40 small pumpkins from the local Mackeyville Greenhouse, and other students bought paint and paint brushes using club funds. The pumpkins were spread out on tables and the students chose a pumpkin, gathered their supplies and began to create their seasonal works of art. Club members engaged students walking by to join in the fun.

Participants could choose to keep their pumpkins or donate them to children in the local community who attend the Salvation Army's after-school program. Granich awarded first and second place prizes to the students with the best painted pumpkins.

Pumpkin painting has been a yearly event for the Social Work Club for the last 10 years. The event this year was the largest ever, with 30 students of various majors participating.

There were many smiles and much laughter during the evening, according to Granich, who also noted the event was a great way to bring smiles to children, as well as relieve stress through the creation of art.

The Social Work Club also plans to sponsor a Halloween party for the children in the after-school program at the Salvation Army.

For more information about the social work program at Commonwealth University, which offers a fully-online or in-person bachelor's degree program, visit lockhaven.edu/socialwork/ or contact Granich at sgranich@commonwealthu.edu or 570-484-2210.

The Social Work Department is part of the College of Education and Human Studies at Commonwealth University.