How can you get involved?
Even students who are familiar with limited time and money can be a part of creating a better community. A huge charitable donation or full-time volunteering isn’t necessary to creating a lasting impact. According to Kendall Stiles, the director of the GIVE center, there are three major ways to help out a nonprofit or contribute to a cause you are passionate about.
1.Volunteer
It’s just that simple. Give some of your time to tutor a local middle school student or to take care of animals. Even just an hour a week volunteering is time well spent. Giving your time is not only beneficial to those you are helping, but is personally fulfilling, too.
2. Fundraising
We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees, but people are generally willing to drop some change for an important cause. Make some posters encouraging others to donate funds for The Red Cross or collect those coins hidden in your couch or in the bottom of that old purse.
3. Advocacy
Raising awareness is an integral part of helping a cause. Write letters to your senators explaining how you feel about child soldiers in Uganda or get the word out about how many lives breast cancer claims each year.
Use the skills and resources you already have to do something to help others. Good with computers? Help an organization revamp its Web site to attract more viewers. Like photography? Take pictures to support a cause you are passionate about. Use your phone skills to volunteer in customer service for a charity or your flair for numbers to help an organization with their accounting needs.
The GIVE Center is located in Ennis Hall on Hancock Street and is a great resource for finding your serving niche. There are plenty of opportunities to use your time and energy toward something you can connect with. These are all the categories of opportunities students have to get involved:
- Animals
- Children & Youth
- Disabilities
- Disasters
- Education & Literacy
- Elderly
- Environmental & Recycling
- Female Issues
- Fine Arts
- General Service
- Health
- Male Issues
- Minority Issues
- Office & Clerical
- Patriotic & Political
- Poverty
- PR & Event Planning
- Recreation & Outdoors
- Religious
- Technology
Check out http://www.gcsu.edu/give/programs.htm for an in-depth look at how you can get specifically involved in these causes.
Posted by Mandy Boddy
on Jan 29 2010. Filed under Focus On.
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