2008 Woodie Awards
Volunteer fair flaunts flexibility, convenience
Patrick Quigley
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
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With an increasing amount of work, it's easy for some college students to leave their previous endeavors with community volunteerism at the wayside. Some students say they are unaware of their options or don't know where to start. One recent event served to alter that mindset.
About 100 college students and community members attended the sixth annual Community Volunteer Fair, sponsored by Fidelity Investments and organized by Boston Cares, held outside of City Hall yesterday. The event allowed attendants to browse a bevy of different volunteer groups - many of which boasted flexible schedules - to give back to the city through service.
"Because I'm an athlete and had a lot of school work, I couldn't volunteer before," said Francie Shafer, a middler communication studies major. "But I'm trying to get more involved."
Before, Shafer said, she was unaware of opportunities to give back to Boston. But at the fair, Shafer staffed a table for the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation of Boston as part of her first co-op, and reached more potential volunteers.
Through community volunteerism, students can grow just as much as when they are studying, one Northeastern official said.
"By volunteering and being an active member of our communities, we are able to gain a better understanding of the neighborhoods that we live and learn in," said Sarah De Ritter, associate director and program coordinator at Northeastern's Department of Government Relations and Community Affairs. "It allows us to celebrate the assets while providing support to critical concerns or needs in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way."
But De Ritter also said that the benefits of volunteer work can extend beyond the immediate community. Students use community service as a vehicle for personal growth and leadership, which "can encourage and inspire others to become active and responsible members of our communities. And it makes an immediate positive impact through the direct service projects completed."
About 100 college students and community members attended the sixth annual Community Volunteer Fair, sponsored by Fidelity Investments and organized by Boston Cares, held outside of City Hall yesterday. The event allowed attendants to browse a bevy of different volunteer groups - many of which boasted flexible schedules - to give back to the city through service.
"Because I'm an athlete and had a lot of school work, I couldn't volunteer before," said Francie Shafer, a middler communication studies major. "But I'm trying to get more involved."
Before, Shafer said, she was unaware of opportunities to give back to Boston. But at the fair, Shafer staffed a table for the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation of Boston as part of her first co-op, and reached more potential volunteers.
Through community volunteerism, students can grow just as much as when they are studying, one Northeastern official said.
"By volunteering and being an active member of our communities, we are able to gain a better understanding of the neighborhoods that we live and learn in," said Sarah De Ritter, associate director and program coordinator at Northeastern's Department of Government Relations and Community Affairs. "It allows us to celebrate the assets while providing support to critical concerns or needs in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way."
But De Ritter also said that the benefits of volunteer work can extend beyond the immediate community. Students use community service as a vehicle for personal growth and leadership, which "can encourage and inspire others to become active and responsible members of our communities. And it makes an immediate positive impact through the direct service projects completed."
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