Homecoming Week is a chance for Eastern students and staff to show off their school spirit and support Eastern.

The “Bleed Blue Spirit T-shirt Swap” took place Wednesday in the Bridge Lounge of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The event allowed students to swap other school shirts for an Eastern shirt.

Dana Jordan, the public relations coordinator for the University Board, and Danny Turano, the movie coordinator for the University Board, said they had almost 200 shirts turned in.

Jordan, a junior sociology major, said the shirts will be turned into quilts and given to a local homeless shelter.

Rachel Fisher, the director of Student Community Service, said Homecoming Week should not just benefit Eastern, but also those less fortunate.

“Each day there is a project that gives the students and community members an opportunity to give back to the community,” Fisher said.

The T-shirt swap also collected winter coats, canned food and old athletic shoes that will be ground up and used as footing for playgrounds.

Emily Ritter, a UB graduate adviser, said she was glad to see the comradery from other Eastern organizations.

Eastern athletics, intramurals, Panther Nation, Student Community Service, Student Life Office, the University Board and New Student Programs all donated items to the event, Ritter said.

Jared Jones, a member of Sigma Pi, swapped two bags full of shirts for points for his fraternity.

Greek organizations, registered student organization and resident halls, receive one point for every five shirts donated.

Points are updated on the Homecoming website daily, Ritter said.

Greek organizations, RSOs and resident halls all participated in the competition during Homecoming Week.

Ritter said she hopes the t-shirt swap continues to spread school spirit every Homecoming Week.

Ceci Brinker, the director of Student Life, has been a part of Eastern for 27 years and she said Homecoming Week is more than just fun activities and football.

“I am very passionate about [school spirit],” Brinker said.

As an Eastern alumni and current employee, Brinker said she is proud to be a part of Eastern.

“This is home, home is where the heart is,” Brinker said.

Amy Schniers can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].