Shiny, brightly colored balloons have long been a staple of University of Virginia graduations, with cartoon characters and glittering inflated numbers bobbing above the heads of the smiling former students as they process down the Lawn.
This year, the balloons have a second life.
Patients at UVA Children’s have received, and will be receiving, the gift of balloons, thanks to the University’s Class of 2020 graduates, who celebrated their pandemic-delayed Final Exercises on Sunday.
Unfortunately, in the past, some graduates have released their balloons. Whether intentional or unintentional, this creates an environmental hazard and is now a violation of state law, thanks to recently passed legislation. Continuing an effort to prevent balloon releases that began in 2019, this year’s balloons are being turned over to the “Balloon Brigade.”
On Monday, volunteers delivered more than 150 balloons to the children’s hospital, enough for three or four per patient. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)
“Balloons are a great part of UVA’s tradition, but can become an environmental hazard if carelessly released,” said Dana Schroeder, an outreach and engagement specialist in UVA’s Office for Sustainability. “UVA is deeply committed to finding creative solutions to waste and environmental issues. We are particularly excited about win-win sustainability solutions like this one – where we can prevent pollution, while also bringing smiles to young patients’ faces.”
Once again this weekend, when UVA’s Class of 2021 celebrates its Final Exercises, volunteers will set up multiple collection points throughout Scott Stadium. Four to six volunteers, wearing colorful signs to be visible, will collect balloons both before and after each ceremony.
The operation went smoothly on Sunday, and volunteers distributed the balloons to young patients at UVA Children’s on Monday.
“Each patient at the children’s hospital will probably receive three or four balloons, as we dropped off somewhere between 150 to 200 balloons at the hospital this morning,” Schroeder said afterward.
