City of Ames employees and members of the Ames City Council volunteered their evening to give out food and prizes to students, welcoming them to a new school year.

Paul Sandoval, deputy fire chief and organizer of the event, said the 25 volunteers running the sporting events and handing out food are part of an effort by the city to extend a friendly welcome.

“This is the first year and we will learn from it and build on it,” he said.

The event will run again Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and is located by the intersection of Welch Avenue and Chamberlain Street.

Free pizza, prizes such as water bottles, carabiners and gift certificates will be given out to those who participate in sporting events such as free-throw shooting and field-goal kicking.

Mayor Ted Tedesco said Campustown has changed a lot since he was a student in the 1950s, when it was called “Dogtown.” Tedesco said he would have liked to see an event such as this back when he was a student.

“It’s a good event to help students understand that we want to help, and to encourage them to treat other people and property with respect,” he said.

City Manager Steve Schainker said the event is an outgrowth of the City Council’s goals to strengthen the relationship between the community and students.

“We think it’s important for the City Council to react in a positive vein,” he said.

Many students who also work or intern with the City of Ames are volunteering at the event. Kayla Myers, who works in the inspections office, helped guide students through the sporting events.

“The football and basketball events have been popular, but the golf and hockey not as much,” said Myers, senior in finance.

Ben McMillan, community safety officer for the Ames police department, also helped with the events.

“It’s nice to see a good crowd out here,” said McMillan, senior in sociology.

Sandoval expressed a similar reaction.

“It’s great to see people participate,” he said. “So far, it has been well received from students.”

Students’ perspective

“It’s good to see people connecting to students and letting students know they are connected.”

– Ryan Gamerdinger, sophomore in pre-business

“There are so many people involved. It’s a cool event.”

– Kavya Gaddam, junior in business and finance

“It was fun – I showed off my basketball skills.”

– Jess Bates, sophomore in dietetics

“We stopped to try the pizza and water.”

– Brad Dorion, junior in hotel, restaurant and institution management

“We noticed it was we walked by. I had the cheese pizza.”

– Carolyn Weyand, senior in hotel, restaurant and institution management.