Helping hands

Students volunteer assistance

By KIRSTEN TATE
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL

Community service is more than a sentence for criminal offenders or a résumé builder — to some it is a way to give back to the community and learn more about themselves.
Annie Hyde, a junior Spanish major from Cedar City, said providing service helps her learn more about herself and others.
Information about volunteer opportunities in Cedar City and surrounding areas is available at SUU’s Service & Learning Center, located in the Sharwan Smith Center. It provides information about service and volunteer organizations as well as different ways students can get involved.
Learning about educational concepts is valued in addition to simply serving.
For the past three years, service work has been required of students enrolled in the social problems class taught by Kenny Laundra, assistant professor of sociology.
Based on surveys taken before and after service experience, he said students learn the course concepts better if they have the service experience in the real world than if they don’t.
Having a rewarding experience is a key reason some students perform service.
Andrea Durrant, a sophomore history major from Sandy, said working with Utah Heritage Hospice gave her the opportunity to record the personal histories of two terminally ill patients. She spent approximately two months on the project. Even though it took a lot of time, she said it was definitely worth it.
“It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done,” she said. “It was really good to be able to help people.”
Clubs and organizations on campus participate in service activities all year long.
Sigma Nu has an annual Easter egg hunt. Alternative Spring Break has monthly service projects to compliment its trip to Guaymas, Mexico, and members of Campus Christian Fellowship volunteer at Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen, according to the Service & Learning Center newsletter.
Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen, sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Cedar City, 324 W. 200 North, serves between 30 and 60 meals every day, said Pastor Richard Ballard.
He said everything is done on a volunteer basis. The food is donated or money is given to buy food.
“There is a definite need (for volunteers),” he said.
Anyone interested in helping prepare food, serve or clean up is welcome to arrive at the church between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Garrett Snow, a senior economics major from Valencia, Calif., and the community relations director for the Service & Learning Center, said service organizations usually call the Center asking for help.
One example is the Iron County Care & Share. Some of its services include an emergency shelter, food bank, food pantry and serving daily meals.
Volunteers are needed at the food pantry on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to help box and distribute food to those

 

Carolyn Sinderson of Kanaraville left and Joyce Day from Cedar City work as volunteers at the Baptist soup kitchen. SUU student volunteers frequently help out at the soup kitchen. Some said volunteering helps them learn more about themselves.
KEN HANSEN / UNIVERSITY JOURNAL

in need. On Tuesday afternoon, help is needed to unload the semi-truck full of food from the Utah Food Bank, said Mary Patterson, administrative assistant for the ICCS.
Pam Branin, Service & Learning Center coordinator, said the growth of the Center during the last four years shows the program speaks well for students.
“It says great things,” she says. “They are considerate of the positive impact they can have.”
One reason she said she thinks students get involved is because of the warm fuzzy feeling they get, and it gives them a chance to connect with something bigger than just themselves.
“They know it enhances their educational experience,” she said.
According to the official count, approximately 1,000 students last semester were involved in service projects, but Branin said the number is much larger because many students complete service projects on their own and don’t report the activities.
Anyone interested in any service opportunity can find information at www.suu.edu/ss/service or visit the Service & Learning Center.