Local groups seek volunteers

Some students at Marshall are concerned with more than classes, work and homework.

P. Andy Hermansdorfer, director of student activities and Greek affairs, says students also volunteer in the community.

"Many local organizations depend on Marshall students," Hermansdorfer said.

The annual Volunteer Fair will be from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wednesday in the Memorial Student Center lobby.

Local organizations will set up exhibits and offer information to students who may want to become volunteers. The first fair was in 1993 and many organizations continue to come each year.

Devonia Love-Vaughn, case manager for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, said her organization plans to explain a program called First Mentors, a subdivision of their program targeted to college students.

Love-Vaughn said recruitment, applications and appointments also will be discussed.

"We have a good base with students," Love-Vaughn said. "But we always need more, especially male students."

Love-Vaughn also said Marshall is a good school to find volunteers.

"Marshall is a community based school and it provides a great way to give back to the community," Love-Vaughn said.

"This also gives the students, even the nontraditional students, the opportunity to work with kids."

Interfaith Caregivers Network is another organization that will attend the fair.

Laura Gilliam, director for Interfaith Caregivers Network, said her organization will have an exhibit and students will be able to register for training.

"This is a great opportunity for the community to know who we are and what we do," Gilliam said.

"Even if we don't get new volunteers, more people will have heard about us."