The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) aims to honor students that have participated in community service projects during their annual Civic Engagement Week.

“This is a week to bring to light some of the projects we do,” said Brandon Howard, CCE project leader and senior general studies major. “We are here to help students and connect them to the community with service projects.”

This year, more than 7,900 students participated in service projects through the CCE, completing more than 70,000 total hours of service, said Erin McIlraith, CCE coordinator of marketing and communication.

Students have the chance to participate in a variety of events organized by the CCE through Sunday, said Chanel Wallwork, a CCE peer mentor and junior apparel, merchandising, design and textiles major.

Some of this week’s events include an Under the Big Tent Debate regarding Earth Day at noon on Tuesday in the CUB, as well as a Cougs Care event from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, which will include a keynote address by Secretary of State Sam Reed.

There will also be an Earth Day reflection at 5 p.m. on Wednesday in CUB L45, a Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute event called the Paradise Creek Clean-Up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and an Eco Adventure Clean-Up and Climb from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at Granite Point.

“There are a lot of reasons students should get involved in community service projects,” McIlraith said. “Helping your community makes you feel worthwhile and some community members couldn’t do their projects without students’ help.”

She said the CCE has projects available almost every day of the week. Students can choose to participate in projects relating to the humane society, tutor programs, environmental projects and much more.

“The possibilities for how students can get involved are endless,” she said. “Students can choose to create their own projects or participate in an event organized by the CCE and other organizations.”

Wallwork said she first got involved with the CCE after participating in a service project. She then decided to apply as a peer mentor and has since had the opportunity to work with students one-on-one in finding their connection to the community.

For more information on how to get involved, students can visit the CCE table set up on the first floor of the CUB from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day this week, or visit the CCE website at cce.wsu.edu.