aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

De-stress, pay it forward during #WesternCares

Finals are approaching, and this is a busy -- and often quite difficult -- time for students.

That's why Western iscontinuing the campaign , encouraging students, faculty and staff to relax and help others. We're all in this together, and we can get through these weeks with each other's help.

A preliminary list of events is below. Admission to all events listed is free. If you know of something that's missing, or if you want to create a new event, ! We're looking for any event that gives students, faculty and staff a chanceto study, relax, de-stress, socialize or get work done.

When posting about something you've done or received to social media, don't forget to tag the post with #WesternCares to encourage and inspire others. Let's see how much help we can offer others as the quarter comes to a close.

March 2 to 6:Kindness Campaign

A team of students from the Center for Service-Learning has been working hard to spread kindness on campus with its week ofKindness Campaign events. This first-ever event featured opportunities for students to thank their faculty members, encourage themselves and to appreciate the hard work of grounds workers and custodians.ǰ.

March 4: Petting zoo

Associated Students Productions reached out to Animal Encounters to bring a petting zoo to the Communications Facility Lawn March 4.ǰof the event.

March 6: Art Walk

ճtakes place Friday, March 6, in downtown Bellingham. Severalstudents' pop-up art will be featured throughout downtown.

March 6: Employee Appreciation Day

The annual celebration of employees is Friday, March 6. Thank your favorite Western employees for their hard work throughout the year.

March 7:DodgeballٴdzܰԲԳ

from noon to 4p.m. March 7 in the MAC Gym of the Wade King Student Recreation Center.

March 9: Seed-starting workshop

The AS Outback Farm his holding a at 3 p.m. Monday, March 9, led by volunteer David LeMay.

March 9: Poetry reading

Poet Natalie Diaz at 4:15 p.m. Monday, March 9,in Fraser Hall Room 102.

Diaz has been featured onand recently was selected to be the.

The event, sponsored by the English Department and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale through the AS Bookstore.

March 9: Be the media with the Women's Center

for "a feminist zine making, community building, patriarchy smashing, stress relieving workshop space to chat about media representation and subverting the mainstream" at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, in Viking Union Room 462. Make your own zine or contribute to a community Women's Center zine. Oh, and enjoy free pizza.

March 9: Symphony Orchestra concert

The Western Washington University Symphony Orchestra is offering a free evening of orchestral music Monday, March 9, in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.

The program will feature the "Academic Festival Overture" of Brahms, IgorStravinsky'ssparkling paraphrase ofPergolesiin the suite from his ballet "Pulcinella," andPiano ProfessorMilicačDZԴDZćperformingʰǰǴھ’sbrilliant "Third Piano Concerto." RyanDudenbostelwill be conducting.

The event begins at 7:30p.m. on campus.

March 9 to 13: Employee Art Show

The 21st Annualis now open in Viking Union Room 565. An opening reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m.

Show hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 9; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, March 10 to 12; and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 13.

"Living with the Dead," a video entry by 's Gary McKinney, will be shown one day only, from 12:15 to 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, in VU 567.

March 9 to 19: Canines on Campus

The Wilson Library end of the Western Librariesskybridgefrom March 9 to 19. Anyone in need of a de-stress break is invited to sit down and pet the animals.

March 10: 'How Reading in a Police State Saved My Life'

Author EugeneYelchinwill speak about growing up in communist Russia during a March 10 speech titled "In the Forest of Raised Hands - How Reading in a Police State Saved My Life."

in Special Collections on the sixth floor of Wilson Library.

Yelchinalso will speak .

March 10 to 12: Study, snack with the Ethnic Student Center

The Ethnic Student Center and providing snacks, supplies and math tutors for students who want a place to study for finals.

March 10 to 12: THRIVE study breaks

The THRIVE programin The Corner (Wilson Library Room 265). Students will be able to make a stress ball and participate in a craft activity that encourages them to identify goals for finals week and stresses to leave behind. Times are 11a.m. to 1p.m. March 10 and 12 and 2 to 4 p.m. March 11. Snacks and hot cocoa will be provided.

March 11: Jazz concert

A jazz concert will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon in theViking Union Underground Coffeehouse.

March 11: Dance with the Swing Kids

The Swing Kids club is holding a free hour of dance lessons and then an hour of social dance Wednesday, March 11, in.

March 12: A'capella clubs winter concert

Take a study break and head over to the wintera'capellaclub concert inArntzenHall Room 100. Doors open at 6:30p.m., and any donations collected will go to Relay for Life teams.

March 13: Help for the homeless

Students with extra meals at the end of the quarter can at the Be Our Guest event from the student club Western Homeless Outreach. Students with extra guest meals can guest in a hungry and homeless community member. The event will take place from 4:30 to 6:30p.m. March 13 in the Viking Commons. Email the club atwhowwu@gmail.comfor more information and for volunteer opportunities.

March 15: Rugby on Harrington Field

The men's rugby team will take on Eastern Washington University at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, on Harrington Field (B-side kickoff at noon).

March 18: Western Wednesday coffee booth

The Alumni Association will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, in front of Carver Gymnasium on campus.

March 18: Wonderheadsworkshop for students

A will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on the PAC Mainstage.Through a series of games and guided exercises, participants will focus on developing a greater understanding of physical expression and articulation, and leave with a set of tools to help them better express themselves both on stage and off.