The first day of October has come and gone, which means that by now, October Lovers is in full swing.

October Lovers is an RSO active mainly during the month of Oct. They plan events featuring typical fall activities, such as apple picking, bonfires and camping, said Em-J Staples, president of October lovers.

“This year we have a lot of new events that we are super excited about,” Staples said. “On Oct. 7 we will be having our first ever barn dance. We wanted to do it especially for all the people who are not involved in Greek life and who have not had the chance to go to a barn dance.”

Also new this year is the club’s philanthropy for breast cancer, Staples said. They have made breast cancer awareness T-shirts to sell, the proceeds of which will go to breast cancer research.

“Since October is breast cancer awareness month, we thought this charity would be appropriate,” said Staples.

Each year during Oct., the club has approximately 10 to 12 planned events, and they also try to include some additional events when there is time, such as bonfires at Illini grove, Staples said.

“We started off the year with our annual birthday bash on Oct. 1 to celebrate all the Oct. birthdays and to welcome the month of Oct,” Staples said.

For Marisa Castaneda, junior in AHS, this event was her first October Lovers activity.

“I decided to come because I love October and everything to do with fall,” Castaneda said. “Some of my friends don’t like to do the activities that the club does, so I’m glad to be around people who do.”

Since its creation six years ago, October Lovers membership has increased immensely, Staples said.

“This growth has really showed what an impact the club has made on campus,” Staples said.

There were originally ten members, but now there are about 5,000 people on the roster, Staples said. Usually only a few hundred people come to most of the events, whether it is just to check things out, or to stay and hang out for the whole time.

Returning members, such as Sara Pessimisis, junior in LAS, enjoy coming to the club’s events because of the atmosphere.

“October Lovers is a good opportunity to enjoy fall, as well as to relax and have fun,” Pessimisis said. “It is also a great way to meet new people who have similar interests as you.”

Staples said that the good vibes she got from members is the reason she became president.

“I respected the fact that all the members stand for something that is beyond just a month,” Staples said. “Both their attitudes, and the fact that I myself am a tree-hugger inspired me to love the club even more.”

Students will notice the October lovers club T-shirts, as well as the rocks painted as pumpkins this month around the quad, Staples said.

“It is my hope that people buy the shirts as they are inspired to pay it forward and share their love for the outdoors and this season,” Staples said. “We are welcome to everyone, and if they are outside living the dream, the October Lovers will be satisfied.”