Although many people have already forgotten their New Year’s resolutions, it isn’t too late for Whitman College students to start the year with community service.
On Jan. 25, Whitman’s Student Engagement Center hosted the Spring Volunteer Fair, which featured an assortment of community organizations.
Lina Menard, assistant director of the Student Engagement Center, said that the Fair is a great opportunity for students who may have been too busy in the fall to get involved with community service programs.
“We have a lot of great community partners joining us this year, and it means a lot to them to have students who are so willing to go and help out. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has missed the opportunity to connect with these local organizations in the past,” she said.
Juniors Hailun Zhou appreciated the opportunity to get involved with a local organization.
“I have done sporadic community service in the past but haven’t stuck with just one program. Now that I have more free time, I can commit to [a] specific program,” Zhou said.
Here are a few of the many opportunities that Whitman students who missed the fair can get involved with:
1) Blue Mountain Humane Society
Daniells Orchard, coordinator of volunteers and humane education, is looking for Whitman students who would like to visit and play with the animals at the Blue Mountain Humane Society.
“Sometimes we have student groups or service trips come and walk the dogs, but we would love to have students come and help out on a more regular basis,” she explained while cuddling with Charmin, one of the puppies at Blue Mountain.
Danielle started as a high school volunteer with Blue Mountain and continues to enjoy working with the 60 animals now living there.
For more information visit http://www.bluemountainhumane.org/.
2) Friends of Titus Creek and Creating Urban Riparian Buffers (CURB)
Both the Walla Walla Water and Environment Center and the Tri-State Steelheaders are working to improve water and habitat quality around Walla Walla and College Place. Both organizations are looking for volunteers to help remove invasive species and plant native flora near creeks. Friends of Titus Creek is also looking for volunteers interested leading elementary school students through environmental education programs.
For more information visit http://www.tristatesteelheaders.com/education-a-community-outreach/curb.html.
3) Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Julie Caton is an alumna of Whitman College and stayed in Walla Walla to raise her daughter. As a working mom, she looked towards MOPS for support raising her child. MOPS educates and empowers mothers while volunteers play with their children for a few hours. Julie is looking for students who would like to play with young children twice a month.
For more information visit http://www.mopsbmcc.blogspot.com/.
