New Volunteer Projects East Carolina University
The Victory Junction Gang Camp
A Pirate’s Guide to Service Page 3
Victory Junction is a NASCAR-themed, year-round camping facility that serves children, ages 6 to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. During the summer, Victory Junction offers diseasespecific sessions with up to 128 children per session. During the fall, winter and spring, family weekends are offered to 32 families per weekend The camp enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a safe, medically sound environment.
Volunteers serve as the “pit crew” of Victory Junction, and may serve in one of the following capacities: • Family Ambassadors • Cabin Counselors • Program Chiefs (Arts & Crafts, Boating, etc.) • Stable Crew • Unit Nurses, Camp Physicians, and other Health Care Roles Victory Junction is accepting applications now for spring and summer session volunteers. Applications are available online at www.victoryjunction.org. Experience is helpful—compassion, energy, and responsibility are required! If you’re a fan of racing, love children, or want to build your leadership skills, a volunteer position at Victory Junction might be for you! Interested volunteers can contact Claire Rutan at crutan@victoryjunction.org or 336-498-9055.
Spring Service Fair A Success Last month, the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center hosted the Spring Service Fair in Mendenhall Student Center. More than 20 different nonprofit organizations set up tables showcasing special events and ongoing opportunities, hoping to meet the right volunteer or service-learning student to fill their needs. From A Small Miracle, Inc, to Eastern North Carolina Stop Human Trafficking Now, to United Hospice-Farmville, nonprofits represented opportunities to fit every interest and ability.
At left: the table display for Eastern NC Stop Human Trafficking Now
One table, the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina (HSEC), was particularly popular with students visiting the fair. Katie Benson, volunteer coordinator, brought along Pepper, a 9-month old chow mix. With her spotted black tongue, curly tail, and lovable personality, Pepper was even a hit with the Mendenhall staff, who suggested she become the honorary Mendenhall Mascot! Most community organizations recruited 10-20 potential volunteers and servicelearners during the fair. A representative from the hospital stated, “This is always a good opportunity to share the volunteer needs of the hospital with college students as well as network with other agency representatives.” And it’s not just the nonprofits that enjoy the fair—students like that they can talk face-to-face with organizations that interest them, ask questions, and sign up on the spot! Did you miss the service fair? Don’t worry! You can stop by the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. to learn about service opportunities with more than 100 local and national nonprofit organizations. Or, visit our calendar of events at www.ecu.edu/vslc. Whether you have a hour a week or an hour a year, we have an opportunity that is right for you!
From left to right: Kim Scott, Pepper, Will Thomas and James Harrison II.