Community Service for Students

Bonner scholars putting together lunches.
                        Image by Cassidy D’Angelo  

In college, community service is probably not at the top of anyone’s mind. If it is, you’re probably thinking about it in regards to graduate programs or even a dreadful part of some of your scholarships. It seems that, in the mist of the chaos in college, finding time for homework, midterms, and finals seem to take precedence; however, most people do not see the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from helping others until they find something they love doing.

 Not only do you see positive impacts when you get involved with an organization that helps with something that is close to your heart, but you also see personal growth and development within yourself. I have gotten a chance to volunteer with two community-based issues and I have seen the results within the organizations and within myself. I regularly help at a local non-profit organization called WISE located in Bluefield, West Virginia and I’ve been able to go to Washington DC and help the homeless through the Bonner Program. WISE stands for “Women In Search of Empowerment,” and both the workers and volunteers strive to help underprivileged women in surrounding areas find clothes, hygiene essentials, accessories, and more so they are able to find jobs and are able to get back on their feet again. In D.C. I was able to work at D.C. Central Kitchen and was able to distribute bags full of personal hygiene products to homeless people around the city. 

    Volunteering both locally and non-locally has made me realize how important serving truly can be and why everyone needs to do it. Locally volunteering at WISE has allowed me to gain personal insight on some of the conditions people in my area have to live in. We sometimes become accustomed to the living conditions other people face every day when living in an area, and we aren’t as sensitive to things as if we were outsiders looking in. Furthermore, volunteering in an entirely different state has showed me that there are far more problems out there than what we see in our state of West Virginia. Volunteering has really opened my eyes and put things into perspective. Although I did not really begin volunteering until my freshman year of college, I never plan to stop. The sense of fulfillment and love that I feel regularly from helping organizations, which in turn help people that are close to my heart is something I would never want to lose.