Free chocolate, juice and pastries might have been the crowd pleasers that drew students to the Celebration of Service fair in Lowry Mall, but the community service information was what kept them there. The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 31, featured booths sponsored by 47 community agencies, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Peace Works, Coyote Hill, the Ronald McDonald House and the Mustard Seed Fair Trade.
“There is usually a very good turnout,” Alpha Phi Omega President Andrew Lovewell said. “Many students come through and sign their names down to receive more information. Volunteering is very important because it gives you the opportunity to give back. Being college students, we might not always be able to donate money to a cause, but donating time is easy.”
Put on by the Voluntary Action Center, the University YMCA and Alpha Phi Omega, the fair allowed any interested student, staff or faculty member information on volunteer organizations in the area as well as how to go about volunteering for them.
“There is definitely an organization or agency for everyone to become involved with to make a difference in our community,” Cindy Mustard, executive director of the Voluntary Action Center, said in a news release.
An additional 20th year anniversary celebration, complete with a ribbon cutting by the Chamber of Commerce ambassadors, added an air of festivity to the event. Free highlighters, candy bars, frisbees and pins perched in bowls topped nearly every booth. Despite the goodies and treats, the goal of Celebration of Service — to further volunteering on campus — remained the primary focus.
“It’s very important to volunteer because we take this city for granted,” Alpha Phi Omega Vice President Steve Schlarman said. “A lot of these organizations just need one or two volunteers every week or so. We have 30,000 kids on campus doing nothing. It’s important for people to volunteer in any way, shape or form. Any way someone can help out the community is important.”
The students, some novices and others veterans at volunteering, were given just that opportunity as they wandered through the rows of booths.
“I didn’t go to the volunteer fair last year or my freshman year,” junior India Wells said. “This year I came in and talked to someone from the food bank and got his business card. There were just so many opportunities. Volunteering helps me to not focus on myself and my problems, but to be able to help someone else out. The opportunities were the best part of the fair.”
The event proved beneficial for those perusing the booths and for the people manning them.
“Ronald McDonald has been here every year for the past couple of years,” said Summer Collins, volunteer coordinator for the Ronald McDonald House. “It’s definitely been one of our biggest volunteer fairs because MU has so many students who want to get involved with the community. It’s good for everyone, but especially for college freshmen because it gives them a chance to give back to the community, make connections and find a footing.”