ATHENS, Ohio -- Several Ohio University students will mark national "Make A Difference Day" on Saturday, Oct. 26, through their involvement in area community service projects. Members of the Residence Life staff and student service organizations and individual students have volunteered their efforts to mark the national day of service.
Volunteerism and community service are integral parts of the college experience for many Ohio University students, notes Mandy Pratt, volunteer mobilization of Ohio University's Center for Community Service, which is coordinating Saturday's opportunities. The center serves as a clearinghouse between Ohio University volunteers and area agencies needing assistance.
"Ohio University students have found that volunteering offers an opportunity to become involved in the community. It can provide for a more well-rounded college experience in offering additional learning experiences outside of the classroom," Pratt said. "Assisting others helps the students feel better about themselves and the impact they can have in people's lives."
"Community service has further value in building citizenship and employment skills. Employers are increasingly seeing the value of volunteerism and are expecting it in future employers," Pratt noted.
Following are the volunteer activities Ohio University students will be involved with Saturday:
Federal Valley Stream Clean-up Project
Time: 12:30 to 5 p.m.
- Meet outside Baker University Center at 11:45 a.m. and travel to the Federal Valley Watershed Office in Amesville. About 25 to 30 students will remove tires, box springs and other trash from the stream.
- ReUse Industries Environmental Workday
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Student volunteers will clean and refurbish washers, dryers and other appliances and reupholster furniture at ReUse on Route 50 west of Albany.
- Monday Creek Watershed Clean-up and Trail Maintenance
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - About 60 volunteers will tackle this project at the Monday Creek Office in New Straitsville.
- One Alarm Project
Time: 11 a.m. - Students will meet at Athens Middle School. Members of Future Health Care Administrators will hit the local streets to assist the American Red Cross in distributing smoke detectors, batteries and fire safety information to local residents.
