TAPPI Student Chapter – Giving Back

As the TAPPI chapter at NC State prepares for the upcoming 2018-19 school year, they reflect on the  service events from the prior year that ranged from public school outreach to volunteering, and helping the broad Raleigh community.

To kick off the school year, TAPPI volunteers to help the College of Natural Resources during Shack-A-Thon week, an event held every September. For those who do not know what Shack-A-Thon is, it is a seven day event in which multiple student groups on campus have to build and live in a “shack” 24/7 with the sole purpose to raise money for Habitat for Humanity, the goal set for this year $65,000, which will allow for the construction of one complete Habitat home.

Throughout the fall months, TAPPI will begin their K-12 school outreach.  Every year the NC State chapter  of TAPPI is invited by the PTA at Morrisville Elementary to present  paper making to elementary school students. Typically, the students are taught how to make paper by hand. This is a wonderful event as the students not only enjoy the hands on aspect, but it is good for the paper science program as it engadges younger students who are interested in science and engineering, and teaches the community at large that the paper industry is green and sustainable.

Planning for the year, the NCSU TAPPI plans to do more service events with local schools and Habitat for Humanity. Apart from these events, this semester will also have Service Raleigh, Arbor Day, and Boy Scout Day volunteering events.

By guest blogger Rukmini Arcot