The 2008 Family Day kicked off this year to a bright blue sky and warm temperatures.

Scheduled before the 1 p.m. football game against Central Missouri, food, fun and a few carnival games brought the Topeka and Washburn communities out to enjoy the day. Parents expressed a more positive view of the days events more than they have in the past.

A primary cause for the improved attitude is the weather, as previous Family Days have expereinced wet, rainy and generally dreary weather, leading to poor attendance. This year many parents were happy to bring their families out to enjoy the university.

James Staehli, Washburn custodian, said he enjoyed bringing his children out to a community activity. He also was happy to bring his kids to an event where they could run around and just be kids.

University student organizations were key to making the day a success. Whitney Philippi, Washburn Student Government Association president, watched over a table of brightly colored foam hats while informing people about the Can Emporia drive. The drive raises donations of canned items as well as monetary donations, to benefit Let’s Help, at the same time putting students in a friendly competition with rival Emporia State University to see who can raise the most cans. Washburn ‘canned’ Emporia last year by raising 26,000 cans to feed more than 2,000 Topeka families.