Nikki Schaffer
Features Editor

The initial fever that comes with volunteering is contagious; many individuals may write the date of the event in their planner and sign up to volunteer after expressing a want to help their community. However, the amount of people who actually show up on a chilly morning to pick up highway trash is often pitiful. Although volunteering is often associated with burdensome tasks, it can actually be fun and leave you with a feeling of satisfaction. If you are interested in volunteering, there are many opportunities on campus to consider.
Volunteer Central is the best resource on campus to find out what civic engagement opportunities are available for students. It is affiliated with the Office of Experiential Learning and Career Management (ELCM) located on the third floor of Lyle Hall, and is open from 8-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The MU AmeriCorps Vista program allows Millersville students to help children after school with various tasks such as tutoring, running recreational activities such as sports or dance, giving art and music lessons or helping students care for their school garden. Interacting with children will give you a feeling of satisfaction as you watch them grow to achieve academic success. If you are interested in helping with any of these activities, please contact Jess Yorks at 717-872-3271 or send an email to ELCM.Vista@millersville.edu.

On Millersville’s campus you can visit Volunteer Central or join the Circle K for volunteer opportunities.
On Millersville’s campus you can visit Volunteer Central or join the Circle K for volunteer opportunities.

Another great organization that is right on campus is Circle K International. The club boasts more than 12,000 members in 17 nations and strives to make an impact on the world. Millersville’s Circle K is dedicated to volunteering in the Millersville community and supporting other organizations such as Water Street Ministries, March of Dimes and Adopt-a-Highway. Circle K hosts meetings every Monday at 8 p.m. in SMC room 204. If you are interested in receiving more information, contact Melissa Witt at mhwitt@millersville.edu
If you are looking to volunteer just once, consider helping with the annual parade. This year, the Millersville Community Parade is seeking volunteers to help out on Saturday, Oct. 26. In order to run efficiently, the parade needs 125 volunteers, and they are asking students and surrounding community members to step up and help out.
There are many different volunteer positions available. Some include banner carriers, division assistants and street corner staff. One fun option available to volunteers this year is to wear an inflatable costume that contains an internal air blower.
On the evening of Sunday Oct. 20, an instructional meeting will be held so volunteers will be able to receive more information to prepare for Saturday’s events. All volunteers will receive a free parade T-shirt and will also be treated to a buffet luncheon immediately after the parade.
The parade is about two miles in length, starting at the Penn Manor High School and ending at the Student Memorial Center. Depending on the job position, the amount of time volunteering will last about four to five hours the morning of the parade.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Steve DiGiuseppe at Millersville University at 717-871-5627 before Oct. 7 or email mualumni@millersville.edu. Don’t forget to check out their website—parade.millersville.edu—for more information.
Volunteer to place the needs of other individuals above yourself. Whether you commit to joining an organization or only want to volunteer for one day, you won’t regret the experience.