Volunteerism

Are you ready to SERVE? From donating blood to tutoring to service trips, there's a way for everyone to make a difference!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:

Natasha Maldonado
Year: Junior
Hometown: Evansville, WI
Major: Business Administration

Community/Volunteer Involvement: SIEO Volunteer Advisory Committee member, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Relay for Life, Portage County Cultural Festival, Operation Bootstrap, and many, many more!

Best Volunteer Experience: It's hard to pick one because I like having a variety of things to volunteer with, but the most rewarding to me is being a "Big Sister" with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage County. Not only do I get to be a role model for a young girl in Stevens Point, I also get to learn a lot about myself, about communicating with others, and about caring for a child.

Volunteer Words of Wisdom: "My advice to others is, do not make excuses about why you haven't volunteered in the past, and to stop using those excuses as reasons why you cannot volunteer in the future. Just take charge of the present, get out there, and find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule and interests. There are so many volunteering opportunities out there to do alone or with groups (check out SIEO's website, volunteersrock.org, and other websites). Also, don't be deterred just because you don't know anyone else that is volunteering. As college students, we are lucky that most of us have no one to look after but ourselves.

Now is the time to do something for others when we do have the time. Even though most of us feel really busy during the whole school year, imagine how much of an impact just a few hours a month adds up to over an entire year! Your time and effort really does make a difference to someone, even if you can't see it right away. And lastly, here's a quote that I like; It is kind of my mindset when I volunteer: 'We can do no great things, only small things with great love' - Mother Teresa."

SERVE in ACTION:

On March 28, a team volunteered at Portage County Dressed to Work, an organization that prepares people for job success by providing work-appropriate clothing and mock interviews. Volunteers spent three hours at the store, clearing out outdated clothes, sizing the racks, and cleaning. They had the most fun assembling new outfits for display!