The Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Organization (LASSO) participated in two volunteer events in October: Noogiefest, held by Gilda’s Club, and the Million Trees Project – Acorn Planting with Living Lands & Waters.

Noogiefest is a Halloween party with trick-or-treating within the Gilda’s Club mansion located on River Drive in Davenport, IA.  This year’s Noogiefest was held from 4-6 pm on Saturday, October 14, 2017.  Gilda’s Club provides social support and services to those affected by cancer.  LASSO decorated a room in the theme of The Book of Life movie and provided a Dia de los Muertos mask-making craft for the kids.  The masks were a big hit, with over 30 masks being colored, constructed, and taken home by the kids involved. For more information on Gilda’s Club and the services they provide, call 563-326-7504, visit www.gildasclubqc.com, or connect on Facebook @GildasClubQC.

LASSO also joined forces with the Interdisciplinary English & Arts Society (IDEAS) to help plant acorns with Living Lands and Waters as part of their Million Tree Project.  Both groups have a history of working with Living Lands and Waters’ Million Tree Project for several years wrapping and packaging saplings in the Spring.  This was the first year that the groups attended the Acorn Planting event.  The event was held at the Living Lands and Waters Tree Nursery in Davenport, IA on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 9-12.  Unfortunately, turnout was lower than hoped for this event, largely due to the cold temperatures, but Living Lands and Waters reports that they were able to get the acorns planted and are considering the event a success. For more information on Living Lands and Water, their mission, and future volunteer opportunities, call 309-496-9848, visit www.livinglandsandwaters.org, or connect on Facebook @LivingLandsAndWaters.

If you are interested in joining LASSO, they meet every other Thursday at 5:00, with their next meeting being held on November 16, 2017.