A record number of Cornell students -- 1,300, up from just 500 two years ago -- gave up their Saturday to work in the community for the annual Into the Streets volunteer event. Students worked at 60 different locations in Ithaca and surrounding communities, including 40 such nonprofit organizations as Southside Community Center, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Finger Lakes Land Trust and the Sciencenter.

"It's not only a tradition at Cornell University, it's now an established tradition in the Ithaca community," said Leonardo Varkas-Mendez, director of Cornell's Public Service Center. Part of that tradition, he added, is that "everything is organized, coordinated and planned by Cornell students."

Into the Streets is sponsored by the Triad Foundation and receives support from On Site Volunteer Services and the Carol Tatkon Center.