2008 Woodie Awards
Students get involved during Volunteer Fair
Organizations recruit student volunteers for causes on campus, in the community
Tiffany Gibson
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: News
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The objective of the Volunteer Fair is to give assistance to outside agencies, family programs and other organizations by recruiting student volunteers.
"It's good to give back to agencies so they can offer more for the community," said Mary Beth Lee, freshman and family and consumer major.
Organizations like the June Anderson's Women's Center, Tennessee Department Of Health, Circle K, AFFIRM, The Cumberland Trail Conference and Habitat for Humanity were at fair with sign up sheets for anyone interested in volunteering.
The Volunteer Fair is sponsored by the Student Life office. Megan Flippin, graduate student and statistical leadership major, aided in the organization of the fair. When asked about the event before it began, Flippin seemed determined and excited.
"Hopefully it will be a successful event," said Flippin.
The Volunteer Fair has recruited a many volunteers over the years to help organizations such as the Cumberland Trail Conference, that is building a four mile trail along the Chattanooga and Cumberland Gap. It also encourages people to sign up tobattle Bio-terrorism in case of a crisis like a smallpox epidemic.
In the event of a Bio-terrorism crisis, those who volunteered and recieved brief training beforehand would be the first to receive inoculations along with their family members.
"This is one of those things you want to be right in the middle of," said George Howes, emergency response volunteer coordinator of the department of health.
Many of the twenty-five organizations taking part in the Volunteer Fair offer workshops or internships on the side pertaining to volunteer services. Some of the workshops include Women's Self Defense and Nature Education classes and Child Behavior internships.
"Students are our future, and they receive just as much from volunteering as does the community," said Linda Reed, Project AFFIRM respite consultant.
Reed also went on to explain AFFIRM's unique purpose of keeping families intact by working with children who have behavioral problems and peer counseling them.
Many of the organizations that participate in the Volunteer Fair depend on volunteers for survival. One of these organizations is Habitat for Humanity. It is expected that 180 people are required to build a house, so a large quantity of volunteers is needed.
"It's great to volunteer to help out the community you live in," said Travis Gaywood, freshman and music industry management major.
Tony Hook, director of the Cumberland Trail Conference, believes that a little hard work will pay off in the end. After working all week during spring break, Tony and the volunteers will throw a celebration for the participants.
"We just like to have a good time," said Hook.
Mary Ann Guiliano, executive aide of the June Anderson's Women's Center, said that by raising awareness, people will want to help out and affect change.
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