Volunteering provides productive summer alternative

If the surplus of free time afforded by a lack of classes has left you searching for something to rescue you from utter boredom, the Office of Community Service has a number of community service and volunteer opportunities that may offer a uniquely rewarding experience.

Sarah M. Brackmann, assistant director of Student Involvement for community services, suggests students visit the calendar of events on the Office of Community Service's website for ideas on getting involved. "I update it as a soon as I have stuff come in," Brackmann said.

Brackmann says it is important for students to be involved in service-oriented activity. "I think community service is really important because it allows students to get outside the Tech bubble. They are able to provide meaningful service to the community, and it also raises awareness of issues they may not have otherwise been exposed to- and that's important," Brackmann said.

"Hands on Atlanta is the best resource for students who are just looking for [service-oriented] things to do," said Brackmann.

She advises interested students to check out the organization's website, www.HandsOnAtlanta.org. "There are always needs for different opportunities," she said.

Hands On Atlanta is a non-profit organization that works with individuals, families and corporate and community groups to place them in volunteer positions with over 400 service organizations and schools.

The organization is an affiliate of the Hands On Network, comprised of "Cares" and "Hands On" organizations across the U.S. and other countries. Hands on Atlanta currently offers over 1000 opportunities to volunteers each month.

The Hands on Atlanta office, located at 600 Means St., is situated barely one mile from the Student Center. Friendly volunteers are eager to place students with a compatible volunteer experience.

"We really don't ask more than a one time commitment, but there is always that hope for continued involvement," said Jenn Kauffman, Public Relations Coordinator for Hands on Atlanta.

"The organizations that students typically seem to be involved in really run the gamut. There are so many diverse organizations that are always in need of help," she said. But, according to Kauffman, three organizations that are particularly popular for students are Project Open Hand, Reading Adds Up and PAWS Atlanta.

Project Open Hand prepares and delivers meals to 2,500 residents of Metro Atlanta who are living with HIV/AIDS and other life-limiting illnesses. Many meals are prepared taking into consideration the specific dietary requirements of the recipients. "Every time I go I see a bunch of college kids at these projects," Kauffman said.

Volunteers are needed to both prepare the food and deliver it within the 285 perimeter.

The next organization Kauffman mentioned, Reading Adds Up, represents a recent partnership between Hands On Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools and Project GRAD Atlanta. Through this organization, volunteers tutor middle and high school student from 26 of Atlanta's lowest performing schools for one hour per week.

Volunteers can also work to improve the students' mathematical skills. "This is a good choice for busy students, because it only requires an hour a week,"Kauffman said .

PAWS Atlanta (www.PAWSatlanta.org), located in Dekalb county, is the largest and oldest no-kill animal shelter in the area. Kauffman says that because they are no-kill, they are constantly in need of volunteers to help care for the animals. The organization strives to provide food, shelter, and medical care for abandoned pets, and to ensure that they are placed in safe, loving homes. PAWS Atlanta also emphasizes providing reduced cost spay and neuter services in the community.

"Students can go and take a dog out from a kennel for a walk, and then when that's done, return him to his cage, and take out another. It's really important because those dogs would really go crazy if they were stuck in the kennel all day every day," Kauffman said.

With so many local organizations in need of volunteers, there are surely opportunities to suit everybody's interests.

Many organizations have flexible schedules which makes them able to work very easily with students. With so many ways to give back to the community, there should be no difficulty in finding a productive way to use the extra summer hours.

"Volunteering lets you see issues in the community, and it offers you the opportunity to make tangible and lasting differences," Kauffman said.