Opportunities abound for students and others who desire to give a helping hand and volunteer for a good cause.

The annual “Light the Nightâ€Â walk, put on by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will be held on campus Saturday, Oct. 6.

This event has been a huge success in the past — and not only in terms of money raised for cancer research. An event of this size requires lots of volunteers to make sure everything runs smoothly.

As students make their way through the fall semester, they may get caught up with school and their lives. They may want to remember to not only take a break once in awhile, but to see how they can help the community too.

Last year, around 150 people came to help out. Many were Fresno State students.

“About 100 Fresno State students were able to help out in different shifts last year,â€Â event coordinator Jenny Gannon said. “All their help really made a difference – they were awesome.â€Â

“Light the Nightâ€Â marks the finish of a great race for fundraising and is a celebration of the efforts of the local teams that have worked throughout the year. It is also a time when those who have passed away from cancer, as well as cancer survivors, are honored by their family, friends and community.

“This event can be very emotionally rewarding for the participants,” Gannon said. “They get to enjoy a great party for all of their efforts and see first-hand the difference they were able to make.â€Â

Prior to the walk, festivities will be held at the Maple Mall, the area between the Music and Joyal buildings, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food and live music from Rare Breed will be offered.

Volunteers will be needed throughout the day and evening. Those who volunteer will get free food and a T-shirt. Students who need to rack up service hours for a class may find this to be a golden opportunity.

At 7 p.m., the walk will proceed west on Shaw Avenue from Maple, north on Cedar Avenue, then east through campus from the tennis courts area before heading back toward Maple Mall from the Smittcamp Alumni House.

Many tents will be set up at the site for registration, food, a raffle and other purposes.

Volunteers of all sorts —adults, children, seniors, — are welcome, even if they can only help for an hour or two. The walk is casual and is open to people of all physical abilities.

This event not only helps out a good cause, but can be a lot of fun too.

Light the night

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is holding its annual fundraiser for cancer research.

̢ۢ Where: Maple Mall area on campus (Maple and Shaw avenues).

̢ۢ When: Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.

̢ۢ Parking: At Lots B and C.

̢ۢ For more information, contact Jenny Gannon at (559)435-1482