4 minute read
Come to Learn, Learn to Serve
By Beth Church
Community service is as much a part of campus life for University of Findlay students as eating lunch at “Hendo,” getting a caffeine fix at Jazzman’s, or petting a service dog.
Oilers spend tens of thousands of hours each year collectively volunteering in the Findlay community and around the world.
The Office of Service and Community Engagement connects students with local organizations and promotes the lasting benefits of service-learning to individuals as well as the nonprofits where they generously help out. In addition, some graduating seniors choose to earn a green philanthropy cord to proudly wear at Commencement.
Last year, 210 students participated in the Philanthropy Honor Cord Program. It requires volunteering for a minimum of six hours, a contribution to the class gift of a scholarship for new freshmen, and attendance at a philanthropic learning event.
“We are engaging graduating seniors to build a foundation of future volunteers and donors, as well as inspiring them to be actively involved in civic engagement in their communities,” said Kenneth McIntyre Jr., vice president of University advancement.
Below, students share their experiences and the lessons they learned while serving in big and small ways:
Hannah Hays served as a volunteer trainer for 4 Paws For Ability, fosters a service dog in training full-time
Total hours: 160
“I learned about loving something and helping it grow to then help and love someone else who needs this dog more than I do.”
Savannah Starkey visited the RaeAnn nursing home
Total hours: Three times each week for fall semester 2022
“There was a deaf resident who I communicated with in his native language so he felt more engaged while he had to be at the nursing home. I played games with him, helped clean his room at times, and provided company to him. I also attended an outing to the Van Gogh exhibit with him to immerse him in art.”
Alexander Gutierrez helped veterans at the Ann Arbor VA System to connect with mental health services and helped to feed homeless veterans in the Ann Arbor area
Total hours: 45
“It is very difficult to hear others’ stories sometimes, and I need to work on listening to others to communicate better. Never judge a book by its cover because you never know a person’s past.”
Hannah Otley served as a youth group leader at Gateway Church, EPC
Total hours: Sunday evenings since 2018
“When I first started serving in this role, I was a health sciences major. As I continued to prepare and teach lessons each week while also impacting my girls’ lives, I realized I loved teaching and wanted to do this as a career. Ultimately, this is what pushed me to switch my major to education. It’s important for kids to have a safe older figure in their lives they can turn to other than their parents and I feel so lucky to get to fill this role for them.”
Alexandra Schultz assisted the non-profit Chasing Rainbows Horse Show Series in cleaning the arena, repairing stalls, announcing, and more
Total hours: 48
“Not everyone has positive reinforcements in their lives encouraging them to do what they love. My community lacks knowledge about the equine industry and the standard care of animals. The communiity does not offer any educational opportunities to people not associated with 4-H.”
Emily Falcone cleaned pens, fed and checked on animals, and walked dogs at Humane Society of Hancock County Total hours: 33
“This experience reassured me that I could see myself enjoying a future career in veterinary medicine. I learned how important teamwork among volunteers/workers is and how much of an impact an individual can have on an organization, no matter how small an action may seem. I definitely plan on doing more service projects in the future.”
Austin Watt volunteered for the Miracle League, a special needs kickball league at the Cube
Total hours: 4
“We would spend time with the kids, participating in the kickball games by playing in the field or helping the kids run the bases, or simply talking with them. I learned about the joy of Findlay and how much they love to be in the presence of UF student-athletes.”
Garrett Schrock ran errands and time-stamped videos to assist attorneys at Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania
Total hours: 90
“My community in the Philadelphia area has serious drug and incarceration problems, and that is something I hope to help change one day.”
