Volunteer Fair to host 20 community service groups

Whether it is giving blood or donating time to a child, one can volunteer and make a difference.

The Office of Student Activities and Greek Affairs will sponsor the annual Volunteer Fair today and Wednesday at the Memorial Student Center. The activity, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, will allow individuals to offer their time to a variety of volunteer services. The two-day event will introduce students to over 20 different community service organizations. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, AIDS Task Force, and the American Heart Association will be some of the organizations talking to students.

"This is a great way to educate individuals and recruit new volunteers," Student Activities Program Adviser Marcie Hatfield said. "The fair will also give organizations an opportunity to be visual to the students."

Circle K and the Lions Clubs, student community service organizations, will also have tables at the event.

"This a wonderful way to get our name out to students," Circle K President Joey Spadafore said. "The fair will act as an membership drive. Our goal is to show interested individuals that there is a way to get involved and by students joining a community service organization they can make a difference."

One of the main goals for the Volunteer Fair to make students active in the community. More than 70 tri-state organizations were contact--ed to participant in the fair and over 20 accepted. The organizations will bring informational materials as-well-as individuals to run the tables.

"Many high schools require students to complete a number of community service hours for graduation," Hatfield said. "And students that volunteer are seeing the benefits."

The fair is a channel for campus to become aware of what is offered in the community. "We will provide a service so that a better service can be done for society," Lions Club Membership Chairman Kenzi Snider said. "All service organizations may have different names but the goal is the same- to help people."