To the joy of all students who are currently fighting their way through the infamous pre-finals finals, Thanksgiving break is finally upon us. It’s time for hefty meals, long naps, plastic bins of strategically acquired leftovers and mental preparation for finals. It’s a sacred time for students, who are trying to get in their last moments of rest before the semester comes to a close. So before you wander off into the wintery gloom of finals exhaustion, here are three ways to make your Thanksgiving the most Blue Raider Thanksgiving it can be:

1) Obviously … eat Thanksgiving dinner

For those of you who, under various circumstances, cannot go home and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, you are not alone! And thanks to the MTSU Parent and Family Association, MT Dining and Housing and Residential Life staff, you won’t have to miss out on some scrumptious food. MTSU’s Scarlett Commons campus apartments will be serving their delicious annual Thanksgiving dinner to all students, faculty and staff. <

The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in the Scarlett Commons Clubhouse at 1858 MTSU Blvd. This is always a popular student event, so bring your appetites, because you’re about to get served (literally).

2) Give thanks and give back

The MTSU community is well-known for its dedication to charity work. From the annual MTSU Charitable Giving Campaign to our longtime partnership with Habitat for Humanity and our relief mission to the Bahamas, MTSU knows how to give back. As you enjoy your holiday break, make it special for others, too, by making your Blue Raider family proud and giving back to your community. Don’t know where to start? Here are three great upcoming opportunities:

Do you have an extra coat in your closet?

If you have any spare coats hiding in your winter clothing — particularly any children’s coats — you can help! Campus club S.W.E.E.T Melanin is hosting a coat drive on Monday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union to aid children in need. If you can’t make it to the event, please contact faculty adviser Latoya Eaves at latoya.eaves@mtsu.edu and be ready to shower the club in coats.

Habitat for Humanity Build, fall 2019

MTSU students and volunteers work during a November 2017 “panel build” on the parking lot of the Campus Recreation Center, creating walls that will eventually result in a Habitat for Humanity house for a local family. The fall 2019 Habitat Build project is set Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 523 E. Castle St. (MTSU file photo by Jayla Jackson)

As one of MTSU’s favorite community events, this event is a great way to get involved if you’ve never before had the opportunity. The Office of Student Organizations and Service is hosting the next session of Habitat for Humanity Build on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 523 E. Castle St. in Murfreesboro to help build a home for a family in need. If you’d like to get involved or have any questions about Habitat for Humanity in general, please contact Jackie Victory at jackie.victory@mtsu.edu.

Borodash

Another MTSU favorite is the annual Borodash, a four-mile charity walk/run held each Thanksgiving that raises money for organizations like:

• Neema House, an outreach program and home for orphaned children.
• Greenhouse Ministries, a nonprofit agency that offers food and shelter assistance, career counseling and skills training.
• Endure Athletics, a program that helps homeless children and youth get free access to fitness, athletic programs, literacy assistance and mentorship.
• Doors of Hope, a mentoring program for adults leaving the Rutherford County Correctional Facility.
• Renewed Life Ministries, a one-year discipleship program for men in need.

The run starts at 8 a.m. at MTSU’s Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium and will go on a lovely route through Historic Downtown Murfreesboro. So get on your running shoes (or walking shoes, whichever you like) and get ready to walk off that turkey dinner for a good cause!

3) Last but not least: Go Blue!

You might not know it — and neither did your author until she did extensive research for this very article — but to have a Blue Raider Thanksgiving, you don’t have to stop at the activities: your food can have True Blue spirit as well! Below is a short list of yummy foods for your Thanksgiving meal that can prove to all your distant relatives that you are 100% dedicated to your college. The unique colors and school pride will catch them off-guard, thus sparing you from any nosy questions about your relationship status or whether or not you’ve found your dream job yet. Can’t a college student just enjoy the company of good food, family and friends without dishing all their business for the world to examine?! 😂

• Frisée Salad with “Blue” Cheese, Walnut and Cranberry Crostini
• True Blue-berry Cheesecake
• Easy Ocean Water Drink Recipe

Happy holidays, everyone!